by Zen, Raeden
She would fulfill her promise.
“I am sorry for your loss,” Kaspasparon said. He put his hand on the edge of Pasha’s incubator and patted it. “House Summerset’s quality work is renowned in the East and the West.”
The lady smiled and gave a slight nod. She pushed her fingers through Oriana’s hair, as soft as silk. She has her father’s hair, she thought, his true eyes. She bobbed her finger on Oriana’s button nose. Her mother’s. Pasha was chubbier than Oriana but had Brody’s dimple cheeks and his nose, small and sharp.
“I’d love to hear about the latest methods,” Kaspasparon said. “We don’t have many developers in Portage, and none as talented as you.”
“We use the premier implantation technology and procedures,” Lady Parthenia said proudly.
She hand-signaled the bots. They pushed the twins into an adjacent room behind a low plastic wall, attaching them to tubes and wires. A viscose green fluid filled the tubes and squirmed into their veins. Internal visuals of Oriana’s and Pasha’s cardiovascular and nervous systems formed above Granville spheres, looking like neon webbings over silhouettes. She reminded the minister how development had been done before the commonwealth had existed. In Minister Kaspasparon’s youth, the bots numbed newborn skulls but kept the babies awake during the procedures. They inserted millions of microscopic filaments, a thousandth of the width of human hairs, over the brains. They connected the meshes to the neurochips that functioned as transmitters and receivers to facilitate the transhuman mind-body-cosmos interface.
“Nowadays,” the lady was saying, “the surgeries are endovascular, no incisions, which lowers the risk for hemorrhaging and death.”
“Does that create other risks?” Kaspasparon said.
“Minimal,” Thad put in, “confined to the anesthesia injection.” He pointed to the bots. “What they’re about to do is steer the filaments through the network of arteries, veins, and capillaries that supply blood to the neurons necessary to enhance the mind-body-cosmos interface.”
“What’re they putting over their heads?”
“Helmets lined with thousands of tiny magnets that the bots manipulate to separate the filaments and send the mesh material to various parts of the brain. It’ll also allow them to place the neurochip.”
“What happens if you’ve done something wrong?”
“The bots would pull out the mesh the same way it entered.”
A hologram formed of the twins, illuminating the neurons of their nervous systems. The bots directed the surgery. Their telepathic communication led to adjustments in the meshes and the neurochips until the words PROCEDURE COMPLETE appeared, first through Oriana’s likeness, then through Pasha’s. The bots zoomed in on the twins’ brains and the neurons magnified to the size of a transhuman, electric impulses traveling as fast as light.
“The optic factors are now being installed,” Parthenia said, “manipulating and enhancing eye color and vision.” The neurons shifted again, and the traditional genetic code letters, As, Cs, Gs, and Ts, flashed beside the images. “They’re programming increases muscle mass with growth factors and a reduction in body fat.” Another shift and the screen sizzled crimson, while new layers of code floated beside the neurons.
Overhead, red bioluminescence winked—
A Granville sphere upon a pedestal in the center of the room activated. Above it was rendered the scene outside House Summerset: the Lady Isabelle led a Janzer division through the narrow, sinuous streets of Halcyon Village.
The bots continued, unhindered.
“No,” Parthenia said, “no …”
Isabelle forced open the golden doors to House Summerset. Wind blew out the candles that lined the main gallery.
“Impregnable?” Kaspasparon said incredulously.
Parthenia didn’t answer him. Her eyes narrowed. She looked livid. She had negotiated with Supreme Director Isabelle Lutetia regarding her candidates in the past. She knew an unsteady response—even after such disrespect of a forced entry without a communiqué—could mean the end of Oriana and Pasha, and, perhaps, her house of development. When Lord Thaddeus stirred, the lady grabbed his bulky arm. “I’ll speak to her myself.”
“My lady,” the lord said, “let me go. If she arrests—”
“I’m a woman, she’ll deal differently with me.” She looked at the twins and back to Thad. “If it goes wrong, get them out—”
“I won’t let her take you—”
“It’s the twins who need us now.” Parthenia disappeared into Thad’s many layers of silk when he hugged her. “We must protect them.” She closed her eyes and kissed her eternal partner on his fat lips. She darted up the spiral staircase, two, three steps at a time to the elevator.
She caught her breath and steeled herself, remembering who she was—the greatest developer in Dunamis Territory, the wealthiest territory in Underground West.
When the doors opened, she strutted out across her gallery, her golden gown and colorful beads flowing behind her.
Keeper bots and Janzers stood with the Lady Isabelle, though Parthenia noted she wore no weaponry.
“I know why you’re here,” Parthenia said. She hid the combination of fear and anger she felt from her face. The Janzers arced around her, holding activated pulse guns, the tips burning bright blue. She nodded to them. “Is this necessary?”
“Madam Developer, your reputation is well-known,” Isabelle said, not unkindly. She stepped closer to Parthenia, towering over her. “You harbor enemies of the state—”
“They’re children.”
“They’re likely near adolescence by now, no doubt, perfect for a courier’s training, and as heirs of Chancellor Masimovian, they are his to do with as he pleases, and he has spoken.” Isabelle held out a z-disk. “They will serve—”
“They will complete development,” Parthenia said, not accepting the disk, “as was agreed, as is commanded by the precepts, and they will compete in the Harpoons; and if deemed unworthy, or unbid upon, then they shall fall to the Lower Level.”
“You dare defy the Office of the Chancellor?” Isabelle scowled, closing her fingers around the z-disk into a fist. “Your chancellor has been defiled, your Great Commonwealth’s great birthday destroyed by traitors whose spawn you wish to see full grown. What happens when they turn traitor as well?”
“They shall never know their ghosts, my lady.” Parthenia paused, struggling for breath. It was only when the Janzers deactivated their pulse guns that she added, “They will grow as strong and wise as you, and behind these walls they will become true Beimenians, trained in the ways of the Formation, and the precepts, and attend your classes where I expect you will … further their education, to their benefit—”
“And to yours. Do you think me a fool, Lady Parthenia?” Isabelle moved closer to her. “Do you think I cannot see with your eyes or hear with your ears or sense the treachery beneath your façade?”
Parthenia’s expression didn’t reveal emotion. She steadied her singing heart.
“Is it a champion’s children you wish to have for your own?” Isabelle twisted away from her and walked in a semicircle, as she was wont to do during Harpoon classes. “Or would you dishonor Captain Barão’s lineage by removing his name from theirs?”
“I will not remove their surnames,” Parthenia said, a response the Lady Isabelle clearly did not like. Before Isabelle could offer a retort, Parthenia said, “I will develop these babies into loyal citizens. I will do what I must to serve the chancellor—”
“As will I.” Isabelle put the z-disk in her pocket and hand-signaled her Janzers. “I will hold your house and the chancellor’s heirs accountable should you falter, until I can complete their education.”
“My bots will show you out.”
“I know the way.”
When the entrance clanked closed, Parthenia Summerset covered her mouth, and though she wanted to cry, no tears fell. Instead, she leaned against the cold doors, and laughed.
Author’s Note
Thanks for reading The Synthesis and the Animus, the third book in The Phantom of the Earth series. I hope you enjoyed it. The supplemental material beyond this note contains Marstone’s Database and Appendixes 1-6. I thought long and hard about whether or not to include this material in each book or simply provide it on my website. In the end, I included the material based in part on beta reader feedback and in part because I think it provides useful perspective into the characters and world building of the Phantom Series.
Please visit http://www.raedenzen.com/ for more information including a form for my newsletter, details about the first five books in the Phantom Series (all available now on Amazon), the spectacular concept art, detailed maps, and PDF versions of Marstone’s Database (labeled by book; to avoid spoilers, don’t skip ahead), Appendixes 1-6, charts, and graphs. I also included a page to credit the team; over the last three years, a talented group of more than thirty people, including readers, editors, scientists, and artists, among others, from six countries and three continents helped me put this project together. I also listed them, and other inspirational sources, in the acknowledgments on the product page and at the end of the book.
Finally, I’d greatly appreciate it if you could post a review to Amazon. Reviews are a great way for fellow readers to discover a new series like The Phantom of the Earth and for new writers like me to learn from mistakes and improve. Please feel free to email me at [email protected] with any other feedback you’d like to share with me.
August 2015
—Raeden Zen
Independent Author
Marstone’s Database
LIVE TO SERVE. SERVE TO LIVE.
Marstone’s Database contains classified dossiers on citizens of the Great Commonwealth of Beimeni. All information herein is the property of the Department of Communications and Commonwealth Relations, and the Office of the Chancellor. This iteration of the database was derived from Marstone for the government and is current as of the 179th day of the year 368 AR.
Citizen: Hyacinth Adao
SEX: Female
HEIGHT: 180 centimeters (5’ 11”) WEIGHT: 62 kilograms (137 lbs.) HAIR COLOR: Blonde, red, brown EYE COLOR: Gold, silver BIRTH YEAR: 173 AR
AUCTION YEAR: 187 AR
DEVELOPER: House Navita BIRTHPLACE: Livelle City, Natura, Underground West ETERNAL PARTNER: Pierre Adao LAST KNOWN RESIDENCE: Second Ward, Palaestra City, Palaestra, Underground Northeast OFFSPRING: Neka Adao, Tex Adao ATHANASIA-QUALIFIED: Yes NOTABLE PROPER CONVERSION: N/A NOTABLE SIGNIFICANT CONVERSION: N/A NOTABLE OCCUPATION(S): Former RDD scientist; Harpoon developer THREAT LEVEL (ONE TO FIVE): One
Citizen: Pierre Adao
SEX: Male
HEIGHT: 203 centimeters (6’ 8”) WEIGHT: 86 kilograms (190 lbs.) HAIR COLOR: Blue-violet EYE COLOR: Orange, silver BIRTH YEAR: 188 AR
AUCTION YEAR: 199 AR
DEVELOPER: House Zwillerzweller BIRTHPLACE: Angeles City, Angeles, Underground West ETERNAL PARTNER: Hyacinth Adao LAST KNOWN RESIDENCE: Second Ward, Palaestra City, Palaestra, Underground Northeast OFFSPRING: Neka Adao, Tex Adao ATHANASIA-QUALIFIED: Yes NOTABLE PROPER CONVERSION: N/A NOTABLE SIGNIFICANT CONVERSION: Constructed E. decontamination, a synism designed to ingest nitrogen gas, used by the Reassortment Strain to obtain energy NOTABLE OCCUPATION(S): Former RDD scientist; Harpoon developer THREAT LEVEL (ONE TO FIVE): One
Citizen: Vastar Alalia (deceased)
SEX: Male
HEIGHT: 198 centimeters (6’ 6”) WEIGHT: 101 kilograms (223 lbs.) HAIR COLOR: Yellow-green EYE COLOR: Red-orange
BIRTH YEAR: 127 AR
AUCTION YEAR: N/A
DEVELOPER: House Phanes BIRTHPLACE: Livelle city-state ETERNAL PARTNER: Previous: Donna Dupree (deceased); Present: N/A LAST KNOWN RESIDENCE: Comb Cove, Gallia, Underground Northeast OFFSPRING: Farro Alalia (deceased), Zentaro Alalia (deceased) ATHANASIA-QUALIFIED: N/A NOTABLE PROPER CONVERSION: N/A NOTABLE SIGNIFICANT CONVERSION: N/A NOTABLE OCCUPATION(S): Former commander of the strike teams THREAT LEVEL (ONE TO FIVE): N/A
Citizen: Orsino Algol
SEX: Male
HEIGHT: 188 centimeters (6’ 2”) WEIGHT: 105 kilograms (231 lbs.) HAIR COLOR: Greenish-gold EYE COLOR: Bluish-brown
BIRTH YEAR: 247 AR
AUCTION YEAR: 254 AR
DEVELOPER: House Perunineian BIRTHPLACE: Xerean City, Xerean, Underground North ETERNAL PARTNER: Svana Wenelow LAST KNOWN RESIDENCE: Second Ward, City in the Vale, Cineris, Underground Central OFFSPRING: Tahlia Algol, Dryden Algol ATHANASIA-QUALIFIED: Yes NOTABLE PROPER CONVERSION: N/A NOTABLE SIGNIFICANT CONVERSION: N/A NOTABLE OCCUPATION(S): Albian Consortium Granville sky engineer THREAT LEVEL (ONE TO FIVE): One
Citizen: Arturo “Arty” Andretta
SEX: Male
HEIGHT: 195 centimeters (6’ 5”) WEIGHT: 112 kilograms (247 lbs.) HAIR COLOR: Dark green
EYE COLOR: Bright green
BIRTH YEAR: 288 AR
AUCTION YEAR: 294 AR
DEVELOPER: House Dragonet BIRTHPLACE: Arrowhead City, Columbia, Underground North ETERNAL PARTNER: Previous: Martha Tonian (deceased); Present: N/A LAST KNOWN RESIDENCE: Third Ward, Piscator City, Piscator, Underground South OFFSPRING: Perla Andretta (deceased) ATHANASIA-QUALIFIED: No
NOTABLE PROPER CONVERSION: N/A NOTABLE SIGNIFICANT CONVERSION: N/A NOTABLE OCCUPATION(S): Former farm owner; former Block fisherman; BP spy THREAT LEVEL (ONE TO FIVE): Five
Citizen: Valentine Antarés
SEX: Female
HEIGHT: 170 centimeters (5’ 7”) WEIGHT: 59.5 kilograms (131 lbs.) HAIR COLOR: Dark blue, green, brown, orange, yellow EYE COLOR: Reddish-violet BIRTH YEAR: 354 AR
AUCTION YEAR: N/A
DEVELOPER: House Nueleio BIRTHPLACE: Beimeni City, Phanes, Underground Central ETERNAL PARTNER: N/A
LAST KNOWN RESIDENCE: First Ward, Beimeni City, Phanes, Underground Central OFFSPRING: N/A
ATHANASIA-QUALIFIED: N/A NOTABLE PROPER CONVERSION: N/A NOTABLE SIGNIFICANT CONVERSION: N/A NOTABLE OCCUPATION(S): Courier of the Chancellor THREAT LEVEL (ONE TO FIVE): One
Citizen: Marius Arnao
SEX: Male
HEIGHT: 218 centimeters (7’ 2”) WEIGHT: 115 kilograms (254 lbs.) HAIR COLOR: Dark red EYE COLOR: Gold
BIRTH YEAR: 288 AR
AUCTION YEAR: N/A DEVELOPER: House Nueleio BIRTHPLACE: Palaestra City, Palaestra, Underground Northeast ETERNAL PARTNER: N/A LAST KNOWN RESIDENCE: First Ward, Beimeni City, Phanes, Underground Central OFFSPRING: N/A
ATHANASIA-QUALIFIED: Yes NOTABLE PROPER CONVERSION: N/A NOTABLE SIGNIFICANT CONVERSION: N/A NOTABLE OCCUPATION(S): Former Courier of the Chancellor; Lieutenant, Department of Communications Law Enforcement Division THREAT LEVEL (ONE TO FIVE): One
Citizen: Marcel Auroro
SEX: Male
HEIGHT: 198 centimeters (6’ 6”) WEIGHT: 91 kilograms (201 lbs.) HAIR COLOR: Reddish-brown EYE COLOR: Light bluish-gray BIRTH YEAR: 367 AR
AUCTION YEAR: 368 AR (First Trimester) DEVELOPER: House Variscan BIRTHPLACE: Vivo City, Vivo, Underground Central ETERNAL PARTNER: N/A
LAST KNOWN RESIDENCE: Neophyte Dormitories, Alpinia City, Marshlands, Underground East OFFSPRING: N/A
ATHANASIA-QUALIFIED: Yes NOTABLE PROPER CONVERSION: N/A NOTABLE SIGNIFICANT CONVERSION: N/A NOTABLE OCCUPATION(S): Stenian Consortium neophyte THREAT LEVEL (ONE TO FIVE): One
Citizen: Tatiana Avalonia
SEX: Female
HEIGHT: 183 centimeters (6’ 0”) WEIGHT: 63.5 kilograms (140 lbs.) HAIR COLOR: Brown, black, green, red EYE COLOR: Blue-gold
BIRTH YEAR: 287 AR
AUCTION YEAR: 292 AR
DEVELOPER: House Ectasian
BIRTHPLACE: Gaia City, Gaia, Underground West ETERNAL PARTNER: Ilario Matheson LAST KNOWN RESIDENCE: Lovereal Citadel, Silkscape City, Lovereal, Underground West OFFSPRING: Macaria Matheson, Yue Matheson ATHANASIA-QUALIFIED: Yes
NOTABLE PROPER CONVERSION: N/A NOTABLE SIGNIFICANT CONVERSION: N/A NOTABLE OCCUPATION(S): Minister of Lovereal Territory, Underground West THREAT LEVEL (ONE TO FIVE): One
Citizen: Oleryis Baltica
SEX: Female
HEIGHT: 183.5 centimeters (6’ 0”) WEIGHT: 73.5 kilograms (162 lbs.) HAIR COLOR: Brown, silver EYE COLOR: Blue-yellow BIRTH YEAR: 217 AR
AUCTION YEAR: 225 AR
DEVELOPER: House Olenikan BIRTHPLACE: Luxor City, Luxor, Underground South ETERNAL PARTNER: Charleigh Gabel LAST KNOWN RESIDENCE: Phanes Citadel, Beimeni City, Phanes, Underground Central OFFSPRING: N/A
ATHANASIA-QUALIFIED: Yes NOTABLE PROPER CONVERSION: N/A NOTABLE SIGNIFICANT CONVERSION: N/A NOTABLE OCCUPATION(S): Minister of Phanes Territory, Underground Central; Supreme Scientific Board member THREAT LEVEL (ONE TO FIVE): One
Citizen: Broden “Brody” Barão
SEX: Male
HEIGHT: 198 centimeters (6’ 6”) WEIGHT: 103 kilograms (227 lbs.) HAIR COLOR: Deep red-brown EYE COLOR: Bright blue
BIRTH YEAR: 247 AR
AUCTION YEAR: 260 AR
DEVELOPER: House Variscan BIRTHPLACE: Portage City, Portage, Underground Central ETERNAL PARTNER: Damosel Rhea LAST KNOWN RESIDENCE: First Ward, Beimeni City, Phanes, Underground Central OFFSPRING: N/A
ATHANASIA-QUALIFIED: Yes NOTABLE PROPER CONVERSION: Created E. agony, a synism originally designed to test treatments of Reassortment safely in the Beimeni zone of the underground; now utilized by Janzers in Reassortment batons NOTABLE SIGNIFICANT CONVERSION: Recovered the Lorum alien contained within an orb from Planet Vigna NOTABLE OCCUPATION(S): Supreme scientist of the Ventureño Facility; honorary minister appointed to Project Reassortment; Supreme Scientific Board member; strike team captain THREAT LEVEL (ONE TO FIVE): Three