Evolution of Angels

by Nathan Wall

  “And what was your business?” Elliot pressed his hands together, repeatedly tapping his index fingers against one another.

  “Tsk. I said I wouldn't reveal and I shan't.” Oreios turned his nose up.

  “So he's of no use to us.” Hershiser looked at Elliot. “Can we kill him now?”

  “Oh, come on, people. Even an immortal like me has to make a living.” He stood defensively, trying his best to keep the several guards around him at bay. His breathing quickened and sweat—at least his version of it—dripped down his back. “I swear, I am telling the truth. I can help.”

  “Too many coincidences in his story for it to be true.” Hershiser shook his head.

  “Wait. Evolution has boatloads of coincidences and you humans believe all that crap.” Oreios rubbed his head down, running his fingers through his hair. He slowly wandered around in a circle before he came to a stop. “If you get me close enough to the openings, I can tell you who is on the other side.”

  “Bullshit.” Hershiser shook his head.

  “It's most definitely not bullshit.” Oreios pounded the table, his voice stressing in the neck and through the jaw. “Rifts are like fingerprints and radio waves. You can duplicate them, but the source material is unique and never mistakable.”

  “We're not letting you out of the cage.” Jackson stepped forward, the aurascales around his head and face retreating. “Let's just pulverize the range and see what happens when the dust settles.”

  “And if you blow up the other half of the stone?” Oreios flashed a cocky grin. The three men looked at him, silent. “I knew that would get your attention, and I can't say for sure that's what these rifts are here for. But if there was a coincidence to not believe in, it's the connection between you looking for the other part of that stone and these portals. Don't act like I didn't see the Cyclops you guys brought back. It's obviously a scout and he wouldn't be here if someone else didn't send him. They're far too stupid to make that kind of journey all on their own.”

  “Oreios is right.” Elliot sighed, leaning back. Hershiser and Jackson did a double-take towards each other. Elliot tapped his finger on his chin. “I'm not wholeheartedly convinced that pulverizing the area would do us good. There's no telling what can travel through those rifts or where they can make them lead to. The last thing we need is our missiles traveling from the Noshaq region to downtown Moscow.”

  “I can lead your men.” Oreios shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly, picking at his dirty fingernails.

  “Absolutely out of the question,” Hershiser yelled, holding his finger on the detonation button for the collar around Oreios' neck. “I'd sooner march into hell.”

  “That's very well where these rifts could lead.” Oreios tilted his head sideways, winking. “Believe me, that's no picnic. I'm sure you'd much rather cuddle with me. I'd even let you be the outside spoon. Just try not to get too excited, and never in the morning.”

  “I can lead a team.” Jackson walked over to Elliot. He leaned down to make eye contact, placing his hands on the table. “We've fully tested our weapons on the Cyclops. We know how to penetrate its skin. With a few of the other Double-Helix Agents now here, we can lead a quick strike team with the four of us.”

  “Shah has you taken out of battlefield commission until further notice,” Hershiser responded, putting his hand on Jackson's left shoulder. He then looked to Elliot. “Let me have the three other Double-Helix Agents and build a new sector squad. We'll take the drones and double the satellite surveillance. We've moved the players around the Risk board long enough. It's time to take our metaphorical Kamchatka and secure our own bridge.”

  “I’ve always preferred Axis and Allies…” Oreios mumbled to himself.

  “While I think fully pulverizing the area with an airstrike is a dangerous move, I do agree with Jackson that it's time to up the stakes and go on the offensive.” Hershiser nodded. “Clearly they're rattled if they're making the move out into the open like this.”

  “You want to risk the whole board?” Jackson laughed, shaking his head.

  “Why not? You'd rather spin the bullet chamber, put the barrel to your head, and pull the trigger.” Hershiser stepped into Jackson's face. His voice fell to a whisper. “You're barely able to hold it together in a small fight. How long until the tape that keeps your insides tethered completely unravels?”

  “Oh goody, a lovers’ spat.” Oreios sat back down in the chair, smiled, and pretended to eat some popcorn.

  “Shawn is right,” Elliot said, pointing at Hershiser and causing Jackson to lower his shoulders. “You'll get your team together. It's time to push forward.”

  “I can still help.” Jackson looked at Elliot but was silenced when Elliot raised a finger.

  “We can't afford to have all of our Agents in one basket.” Elliot stood and leaned on the back of his chair. “With these two new candidates not likely to join the program, and the Double-Helix hanging by a thread, we'll need you to act as the buffer until my new pet project can get fully underway.”

  “Yes, sir.” Jackson nodded.

  “So where does that leave me?” Oreios shrugged his shoulders, smiling.

  “Back in the cage.” Jackson looked at him, the armor stretching across his face.

  * * *

  “So, are you going to do it?” Austin placed a duffel bag on his portion of the bunk bed, filling it with clothes and supplies. He looked briefly at Jarrod and then kept on with his routine. “You'd be throwing away so much, and for what?”

  “You want to lecture me about throwing away so much?” Jarrod sat on his bed, his legs crossed at the ankles, and kept reading his book. “I've come all this way to make a difference. I'm not going to look back now.”

  “And what about Claire and Aunt Liv?” Austin shook his head and stopped packing the bag. He looked up, sighing. “Don't do this for my benefit.”

  “Don't ever mistake that anything I've done has ever been for your benefit.” Jarrod lowered his book and squinted at Austin. “I'm my own man.”

  “Really?” Austin laughed, turning around. He sat on his bed, scratching the back of his head as he rolled his eyes.

  “Yeah, why? You got something to say?” Jarrod asked.

  “Then why'd you come here if not for me?” Austin leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “Because you liked hiking up mountains, getting shot at, and washing dirt out of your ass crack?”

  “Maybe I knew I'd have a chance at becoming Captain America.” Jarrod tossed the book aside and stood over Austin.

  “They weren't your parents.” Austin shot up, getting in his friend's face. “Don't get all self-righteous on me. I didn't ask for you to come. You don't have to feel like you have a point to prove in all this. If you wanted to show your support, believe me, you've done enough. Learn when it's time to walk away.”

  “Screw you,” Jarrod spat on the floor. He shoved Austin onto the ground and stood on his chest. He curled his fingers into a fist and raised his hand above his head.

  “What are you going to do? Hit me because I'm right? Or because you’re jealous?”

  “I don't know what your problem is right now, or where this shit is coming from, but if you have something you want to say, come out and say it,” Jarrod growled through his teeth, removing his foot off Austin's chest. “Quit dancing around it and being a jerk.”

  “All you've ever done is assimilate someone else's direction.” Austin rubbed the sore spot on his diaphragm. He rolled over to his stomach, pushed himself up, and grabbed onto the bed in order to assist himself in standing. “I'm sorry you don't know who you are, but that doesn't mean you should piggyback on where I'm going or choose a dead-end path all for the sake of becoming your own destiny.”

  “You know, if you'd stop and listen to this garbage you're spewing out at me right now, you'd know that I'm in a damned-if-I-do and damned-if-I-don't situation.” Jarrod picked up his book and ran his fingers through the pages. He gripped it tightly and bent the page b
ack in half. “If I choose the program, I'm just doing it as some sort of way to one-up you and misguidedly forge my own path. If I don't, then really I'd just be following you again.”

  “This life was never meant for you.” Austin sat on his bed and cradled his head between his knees. “I know you always wanted what I had, and I never minded you being there for all of my family events. I never minded my dad teaching us both to ride bikes, or my mom doing for you the things a normal mom would do for a son. But this is my tragedy, not yours. You have a life waiting for you when this is all done if you just don't get yourself killed. You may have envied me growing up, but you're the one holding the better hand of cards now. You still have people who care about what time you come home. Don't become a slave to the Double-Helix on my account.”

  “There are certain things a person has to find out about themselves.” Jarrod turned and dangled his legs off the side of the bed. “I'll be honest; I’ve always looked up to you and your family growing up. I know my Aunt loves me, but she isn't my mom. My real parents never gave a shit. But yours... they treated me like I belonged. Don't think for a second that just because you're my friend, I am here only for you. I may have followed you this far, but this is where our paths diverge. It's time to find out who I am.”

  “You're whoever you want to be.” Austin's face fell as he closed his eyes, folding his hands together. “That's the amazing thing that you never understood about yourself. You've always been able to write your own story. That's what your Aunt Liv has given you and why Claire is so attached to you. Instead, you're always looking back.”

  “Are you done with the lecture?” Jarrod looked at the door, not wanting eye contact with Austin. “Don't you have somewhere to be?”

  “Yeah, I guess I'm done.” Austin stood, slinging the bag over his shoulder. “Travis and Christian are coming with me. There's still room for another if you change your mind. This time, you can rest assured I know you're doing it on your own.”

  “Thanks.” Jarrod looked at Austin and they bumped knuckles. They were always able to brush their disagreements off quickly and move on with their friendship. “But this time, even if for myself, I can't follow.”

  Austin nodded and headed out on his way. Following the tracking device given to him by Hershiser, he made his way to the debriefing room. Inside, a large group of people sat in semicircle stadium seating with Hershiser in the center of the room. Austin made his way over to Travis and Christian and sat his bag at his feet.

  In the corner of the room, Sanderson took notice of Austin and then looked at the door. When Jarrod didn't follow through, he turned to head out.

  “Where are you going?” Lian asked him, stepping in his way. “Should I come with you?”

  “Not this time.” He shook his head. “Remember, no one gets to make their own choices. But sometimes, you get to make the choices for someone else. There's something I need to show someone.”

  “Is it him?” she asked, looking up at Sanderson and forcing him to connect eyes. He didn't say anything and just pushed forward.

  “I'd like to thank you all for being here on short notice. I know it isn't easy when you're tired and have traveled halfway across the globe, or about to go home, or brand new to this world as these three are,” Hershiser orated, pointing at Austin and his friends. “Some of you may be wondering why we have new recruits here with three Double-Helix Agents and seasoned vets. The simple answer is, the moment we've been steadily pushing toward is finally upon us. Each of us is needed, no matter what role they may play, to finally tilt the scales in our favor once and for all. All hands are on deck.”

  One of the men in the front row raised his hand. “What about Jackson?” The room went silent. The man looked around and listened intently for the answer. “He's been sort of our de facto leader for some time. Is he a part of this mission?”

  “Given the extreme lengths we're going to by pooling our entire resources, the Agency feels holding Jackson back as a last resort is the best strategy. I will be taking point, but I can assure you, Double-Helix Agents Reznor, Kirk, and Lewis are more than capable of having our backs.” Hershiser pointed at the three men standing at attention to his right. Their aurascales and exoskeleton armor were identical to Jackson's. Their facial armor was retracted and they looked like triplets; sandy blonde hair and blue eyes. Hershiser pointed at the large screen on the back wall, proceeding with his slideshow. “The Noshaq region has seen a large and sudden spike in rifting activity over the past several months. We've gathered intelligence from all over the world and are convinced the other half of the starstone is somewhere within this area.”

  “That would mean...” another voiced muttered.

  “Yes. Unlimited power potential.” Hershiser turned around. “Now you know what's at stake.”

  * * *

  “Not joining the others?” Sanderson asked, walking up behind Jarrod. He sat adjacently at the same table. “It seems silly to split up a good team.”

  “Your presentation… it got me thinking.” Jarrod swirled his juice around in the cup, not lifting his eyes. He took a sip and let out a deep and controlled breath.

  “Really, about what?”

  “About what I can really do to make a difference.” Jarrod looked at Sanderson. “You were the one who brought it up to me. I didn't come searching for you. You have a change of heart?”

  “It's funny how life ends up being a series of events where we think we're looking for one thing, and end up with something completely different.” Sanderson leaned forward, patting Jarrod’s hand. The sparkle in Jarrod's right pupil—Sanderson was sure he'd seen it before. “I'll be honest with you, Jarrod. The Double-Helix is a dying brand. You and your friend were nothing more than a last-ditch effort to save it. Truth be told, those in charge chose you because they wanted you to fail. It would be the last test to go wrong to force me in a direction I'd rather not go.”

  “Why are you telling me this?”

  “Because for the better part of the last decade and a half, I've convinced myself that life is nothing but a series of cause and effect brought on by other people's choices and left for me to clean up.” Sanderson stood from his chair and pulled out two cigars. He offered one to Jarrod, who refused, and put the other in his mouth, lighting it. “I'm going to give you the choice that many others never had. Follow me.”

  They walked through the complex and into the procedure chamber. Jarrod looked around and noticed the large window to the observation room up top. He walked along the walls, his hands gliding across the smooth brick, bullet holes, and claw marks left behind from an unknown creature. He looked at Sanderson, brows lowered, and shrugged, not sure what to make of everything.

  “I still don't understand,” he restated as he walked over to a hard table and noticed the broken restraints. “What am I looking at?”

  “An old man's failed attempt to make up for past crimes.” Sanderson pointed at the torn shackles. “When I told you about the Double-Helix, I did so hoping your friend would do it. He's the sort we need.”

  Jarrod stood straight, his jaw tight, and turned his head. Out of the corner of his eyes, he stared Sanderson down before making full eye contact.

  “Don't take it as a slight to what kind of person you are or what type of solider you can be.” Sanderson walked around the table, took a deep puff of his cigar, and leaned against the flat surface. “What you did in that town to take out those rock creatures, save Hershiser, and help us capture Oreios... it was all very impressive. Not many seasoned vets could pull that off.”

  “So why can't the Double-Helix use me?”

  “Your friend is more of a match.” Sanderson took another deep puff. “He has less to lose back home, sure. But that's not what I am talking about. You see, for this procedure to work, you need to better match the catalyst.”

  “The what?”

  “The DNA which we use to replace yours.” Sanderson walked over to the wall opposite the entryway. A two-way armored mirror se
parated their room from another. Sanderson pressed a few buttons and the mirror turned transparent. On the other side was a gray cocoon-looking device made up of the same slate-gray cubes that formed the starstone. It was placed inside another transparent chamber which kept it at the necessary freezing temperature. “Inside is the answer to where we as humans came from. I'm sure you've heard of how Neanderthals and Humans once coexisted on the planet, even intermingled from time to time?

  Jarrod nodded, still looking at the catalyst.

  “It's known that some humans, more so than others, carry traits from the Neanderthals; sequences of DNA code that proved beneficial to surviving the human game of survival of the fittest. You, Austin, and this catalyst aren't all that different when compared to the vast numbers of people out there. Somewhere in your DNA code is a sequence so similar to that of the catalyst, that we can actually copy its code to yours.”

  “So what's the problem?” Jarrod looked at Sanderson. “Why am I no longer a fit when I was before?”

  “You weren't before.” Sanderson turned around, looking at the floor. He took another puff and looked at Jarrod. “Austin was a three percent match. Hardly a winning prize, but a gamble I was willing to take in order to keep my ambitions alive. Ambitions, as I've said, that no longer exist. You were less than that, and let me tell you, three percent doesn't have a high rate of success.”

  “So you were lying to me?” Jarrod shook his head, looking at the catalyst. He placed his hand to the window, feeling something draw him to the frozen cocoon. “You were just hoping I'd go along with it so he would. And now that he's not—”