by C. E. Glines
No one was taking my babies from me. No one.
Peace descended over me as I accepted, even anticipated my new role. Strange how a little leopard DNA made killing my enemies totally acceptable. Or maybe it wasn’t just the added DNA. People like Millsap didn’t deserve to live. I just never figured myself as the executioner. But there was no gray with me on this issue. He was a danger not only to me, but to every other being on the earth. He had to die.
This must have been what Olivia was trying to get me to understand. If I had the ability to stop people like Millsap, then I had a responsibility to. I hoped I got the chance to tell her that I now understood what she meant.
Adam.
I’m here.
I think I’d like to join the superhero mutant team now.
The joy he felt accompanied his words to me. Welcome aboard, he said quietly.
I stretched out on the cot and laid one arm across my eyes. When does Operation Get My Butt out of Here commence?
As soon as reinforcements arrive. Should be a couple hours still.
Won’t they be able to spot you? I didn’t think my captors would miss a small army gathering around their camp.
Shouldn’t. They’ll come bearing mobile optic shield generators large enough to cover us. Until dark.
What happens at dark?
We glow blue or rather, the shields do. Sort of give us away.
You’d look good in blue.
Our bond was becoming stronger. I both heard and felt him snort in response. I’d never sensed so many emotions coming from him. In fact, before the transfusion, I thought he was rather cold and unfeeling. I was wrong.
Rolling onto my side, I put one arm underneath my head and tucked the opposite hand between my knees. Adam, this rage thing... I felt him still, waiting for me to continue. I wanted to kill him with my bare hands. I wanted so badly to give in to the rage and rip out his throat. I sighed, recalling the rage that had almost overpowered me. It would have been so easy.
But you didn’t, he replied carefully.
Is it always like this? This—what was the word—consuming? Again, I felt him pause as he searched for the right words. If I closed my eyes, I could almost see him.
It will consume you, if you let it. Then you may do things that you will regret later. Once you start down the path of giving in to the urge to kill, it’s a hard road back. But you don’t have to let it consume you. Just like earlier, you can master it and use it strategically.
I thought of the many times over these last few days that I’d seen him visibly force down his anger. It could be done.
You’ve mastered it, I told him.
His response was very solemn. Not without a few regrets. But you’re better than me, Macy. You’ve already mastered it several times just today.
Didn’t feel like it. I rolled onto my back, pillowing my head in my hands. You’ve suspected Pike all along, haven’t you?
Yeah, he said, his anger seething just below the surface. But I had no proof. Considering his position, eliminating him based on a judgment call from me was not acceptable.
His words were logical, but I could sense the regret that he now had regarding his decision not to act.
I hate him, I said.
I know, Macy.
Given the bond that we now shared, I knew he did. He has to die.
I know.
The tent flap suddenly flew aside, and Pike sauntered in, looking entirely too relaxed and happy. Before I knew what was happening, I had rolled to a standing crouch in the center of the tent.
Pike’s bravado faded a little, and his forward motion stopped as he observed me. “How’s it going?” he asked casually.
Seriously?
He ran his hand through his hair while mumbling, “Dumb question.”
What’s happening, Adam asked.
I rudely shushed him while I focused all my attention on Pike. Everything in his demeanor, his movements, his voice, the expression on his face, projected non-threatening. Everything except his eyes. They were intense, cold and calculating. And they were intently watching me. I guessed he was planning his actions based on my responses. It seemed Pike was the consummate actor.
The shift pushed against me. It was almost as if I could feel the leopard pacing inside me. I was already weak from hunger. I couldn’t risk the energy expenditure of another shift, and I was not going to refuel by eating any food they supplied.
Still trying to project harmlessness, Pike stuffed both hands in his pockets. “So, Millsap told me you knew we were going to be parents.”
My breath caught in my throat. “We?” I barked. “You’re the male DNA supplier?”
The revulsion in my voice caused him to drop the act. “You don’t have to make it sound so clinical. We could have fun with it,” he said vehemently.
A come on veiled in threat. I couldn’t help myself. My laughter bubbled up from deep inside. “You think, that you,” I paused, bending over and letting the laughter have full reign. “Will ever touch me!”
My laughter increased his agitation, and he began shifting from foot to foot, creating a sort of ridiculous looking shuffling movement.
When the laughter was spent, all that was left was fury. “I’m going to rip your throat out,” I spat at him. “Then I’m going to hunt down Millsap and do the same. Then I’m going to destroy everyone and everything associated with the Consortium.”
He involuntarily took a step back. Realizing he’d given ground to me, he regained control and regarded me with a sneer. “You won’t be so brave after you’ve been here for a while or when your friends pay for your rejection.”
“They were your friends, too,” I said through gritted teeth. “How could you betray them like this? How could you betray your grandparents?”
He began to slowly walk backwards. “Who says I’m not acting with their full knowledge and consent?”
“You’re lying,” I said automatically. But I knew that he wasn’t telling the whole truth. I could smell it.
“Am I?” he laughed, starting out of the tent. “Oh,” he said, pausing and turning back around, “I wouldn’t count on being rescued this time, Beautiful. No one’s coming for you.”
Again, something about his statement was off, besides the fact that I knew he was wrong. He was still standing there, waiting for a response. He was fishing. He wasn’t sure if Adam and I were in contact.
“I don’t need rescuing,” I said with a smile. “Super brain, remember?” I tapped my temple with my fingertip. “I’ll be free, and you’ll be dead.”
He tried to hide it, but I caught the doubt that briefly flared in his eyes. “Time will tell,” he said, backing slowly out of the tent.
Yes, it would.
I stood there unable to move for fear I would take off after him. I wanted so much to wrap my hands around his throat. But instead, I willed myself to calm down, and the need to shift eased somewhat. I shook my hands that I hadn’t realized I’d fisted.
You’re one tough Kitty Cat, Adam’s voice whispered across my mind.
You heard that? I asked, suddenly embarrassed. I’d forgotten I wasn’t alone. I guess I never truly would be again.
I even somehow managed to hear Pike.
That was probably because I’d mentally repeated everything he’d said, just trying to wrap my brain around it. I felt bare, exposed. This was what Miranda had tried to explain to me.
With head bowed, I waited for the condemnation I was certain was coming from Adam. But his reply surprised me.
When it comes time for the tearing out of throats, I’ll help.
Relief flooded through me, my own this time. I sank down onto the cot again. My whole body was shaking with unspent adrenaline and anger. My stomach rumbled loudly. I was so hungry. Somehow, I kept forgetting that fact in the midst of all this drama. Never thought that would ever happen.
I’ll bring more cardboard, Adam offered.
I uttered a sound that was half laugh, half sob. Don’t
forget the water, I reminded him.
CHAPTER 17
AS I SAT THERE WITH my head in my shaking hands, I replayed the conversation with Pike. His statement alluding to the founder’s involvement with the Consortium needed to be addressed right away.
Adam, did you catch the part about the grandparents being involved with the Consortium?
I was not surprised by the long delay that prefaced Adam’s answer. I imagined it was pretty difficult to acknowledge the fact that someone you had known and worked with for years had suddenly flipped sides and consequently, become your enemy. If what Pike said was true, then there would be huge ramifications. All of which would probably fall squarely on Adam’s shoulders.
I did.
I knew Adam well enough now to know that short, clipped answers meant anger and reluctance to talk. But that hadn’t stopped me yet.
And? I asked.
And, I don’t know. It is possible, I guess.
Since when did Adam guess? He must be reeling from this latest bit of information. Welcome to my recent life.
But, there’s nothing I can do about it right now, he grumbled. Other than make sure this operation receives as little attention as possible.
Would they know you called for reinforcements?
Only if they were watching for it. They maintain more of an oversight role in operations. I handle the actual doing. It is worrisome, though. I’m going to do some checking. You okay for now?
Just peachy, I assured him.
Peaches. One of nature’s greatest smelling and tasting fruits. I cut my eyes to the table with the food. The platter had a big silver dome over the top, concealing its contents.
“Not gonna do it,” I ordered myself. Rolling over onto my side, I put my back to the food. “Probably laced with something anyway.”
While lying there fighting the temptation to eat, my thoughts turned to Kenny. Was this how Kenny and the others had felt? Captive? To them was I Millsap? Looking back, I couldn’t believe how I was able to be so clinical about it all.
It was true that I had acted in the pursuit of science. But I’d played with their lives just like the HCF bureaucrats. I thought I was different. I meant to be different.
Originally, I had thought the hybrids were better off in the Colony. That they were protected there. It wasn’t until recently that I acknowledged the boogie man was the one running the compound.
I didn’t know how much it was going to mean, but I was really going to have to apologize the next time I saw them. Or maybe more than that, considering my pledge to help with whatever Kenny was cooking up. But I’d do it. I owed them too.
Macy, we got trouble.
What a surprise. Yeah? So my lure is still in place?
No kidding. I know what t-shirt I’m giving you when this is over.
Now that was just plain unfair.
What does trouble look like this time? I sighed.
I asked Renard and Julia’s assistant if either of them had requested any operational updates. Only one of them had. Julia.
So Julia was in on it or at least aware of it. Does she know about what’s going on here?
Not from this end. I managed to catch Lydia before she handed over the update. Instead, she gave a carefully worded report that will not incriminate her or us. And, she’s going to keep me in the loop. I don’t know if Pike or anyone else from this end is updating her. I’ve confirmed reinforcements are still on their way. It’s possible she doesn’t know yet. In any case, I’ll move quickly when they arrive.
Lydia? Why would this Lydia trust you more than her superiors?
Because we have a history, he stated very calmly. He couldn’t quite cover his reluctance to answer the question. That piqued my curiosity.
A history?
I brought her into the Organization.
I knew he was telling the truth. But he wasn’t telling all of it, and he wasn’t volunteering any more information either. History. Aah, he meant they used to be together as in a couple.
I suddenly felt very awkward, which didn’t make sense. We’d only shared one brief kiss. It shouldn’t bother me that he had been with someone else. And anyway, he was the one that always got possessive, not me.
Macy.
I could feel Adam squirming as I continued to mull over his “history.” I was fully cognoscente of the fact that I was being ridiculous. I wasn’t normally such an emotional person. I mean, I wasn’t a robot before, but the strength of my emotions since I’d hybridized was overwhelming. And jealously was completely new to me.
Macy, it was a very long time ago. There is nothing more than friendship now, camaraderie between colleagues.
I accepted what he said. I wasn’t trying to defend my reaction that I fully acknowledged I didn’t have a right to. But that didn’t make it go away.
Is this really necessary? He said in frustration. Do you not have more important things to concern yourself with currently?
Probably, but my mind seized on the long time ago remark. How long ago?
It was more than twenty years ago, Macy! Adam shouted at me.
Twenty years! He didn’t look to be older than thirty-five. Adam, how old are you?
Adam’s sigh reverberated down the length of my spine. I shivered in response. How the heck did he do that?
Macy, you know age is just a number. Especially, when you consider our nanobot engineering.
Yeah, yeah, you’re only as old as you feel. How old?
You’re not going to let this go, are you?
Do you know me? I smiled in anticipation of his response. This ought to be fodder for a good long while.
I am currently seventy eight years old, he said defiantly.
I blew a long slow whistle. Wow. Reverence. That was what this moment demanded. I bowed my head in respect.
“Moment’s over,” I announced loudly. Leaping off the cot, I danced around the tent, singing, Grandpa’s in the house.
Adam’s uniquely sour disposition sang back to me across our bond. I was sure I’d pay for this later, but for now, I was taking the joy where I could find it. I wasn’t sure how long it lasted, but it felt good to be moving. Adam had given up and checked out long ago.
Once I started moving, I found I couldn’t sit still. The need to run, to escape, to just do something was writhing inside me. I felt like I was trapped in a cage.
That brought an abrupt halt to the pacing that had replaced my dancing. Visions of big cats in zoos, walking back and forth in front of glass cages paraded through my mind. Did they feel like this? Great. Another thing to feel guilty about.
I needed to calm down, and I needed to think. Dropping cross legged onto the floor of the tent, I began to evaluate my situation.
What did I know? I was a prisoner, but a soon to be rescued one, so I wasn’t too concerned about that. I trusted Adam would let me know what I needed to do when it was time.
I also knew that the Consortium was planning on mining my DNA to make more somethings like me. That was curious. Millsap did not say he was harvesting my eggs, only my DNA. Why did he only want a part of my DNA? Why not the whole egg? And what particular part of my DNA was he after?
If Pike was telling the truth, his DNA was supplying the Y chromosome. With his “have fun with it” comment, he’d hinted at a union of egg and sperm the old fashioned way, but I suspected that was not part of Millsap’s plan.
I stood and shuddered as I pushed thoughts of me and Pike out of my mind. I settled back on the cot again while I tried to make sense of the Consortium’s plans.
Had they advanced the science enough to mix and match individual segments of DNA from any number of contributors and end up with a viable living being? If so, then this was another huge leap forward in genetic engineering. And the question of how an army of babies would bring any kind of success for the Consortium’s mission still remained. I needed more information.
Adam, will it interfere with any of the rescue plans if I take a stroll through camp?<
br />
Can you stay out of trouble? He asked flatly.
I frowned at his impossible question. I formulated several responses but knew they wouldn’t satisfy him. I was attempting to answer again when he said, Just don’t die, okay?
Okay? I agreed weakly. Not like I was trying to. No matter what my recent history said.
I rolled off the cot and approached the tent flap. Reaching for the flap, I pulled it aside and surveyed the scene outside. There were a few guards moving here and there, but it was mainly quiet. I crossed the threshold and headed back in the direction I’d travelled to get to the tent.
I hadn’t noticed when I’d first arrived, because the smell of the paper mills was so overpowering, but there was another strong smell covering the camp. Passing closer than needed to a pair of guards, I inhaled sharply. I thought the smell was coming from them.
Adam, the guards smell funny.
They are Furries.
Can they all completely shape shift?
Yes.
Incredible. Now for the million dollar question I hadn’t been brave enough to ask before. Can you?
I find that the longer I am what I am, the more of my body I am able to shift.
You mean the ability to shift is a progression of ever increasing shifts?
In my experience and most everyone else’s on the team, Adam confirmed.
That would suggest that the nanobots are learning as they go. You think the nanobots will one day enable a full shift?
It seems probable.
That is so wild! I could be a were leopard one day.
It’s something to shoot for, Adam laughed.
This was so amazing. To become an animal, a different species? I longed to study the nanobots and find out how they made this possible. Several guards regarded me warily as I passed them. I had better calm down. I wouldn’t be able to study anything if I got killed. Not to mention, I had told Adam that I wouldn’t die.