by Aaron Denius
I think about the first time I saw Dr. Kivuli. I was with Titan in the medical ward, and Hawk was arguing with Brianna. It was odd, and I remember not liking Dr. Kivuli from the instant I saw her, but nothing about that moment raised any alarms. It just felt weird.
“Nothing yet,” I say.
“Okay. Well, I put you in Grant’s room because I want you to look through all his work, see if he has any information lying around. Also, watch the monitors. Take note of any suspicious activity.” Rene grabs a tablet from the desk, and with a swipe, he turns on all of the monitors. Images from around the compound appear. One of the monitors shows the other Genesys gathered in a semi-circle, listening to Dr. Kivuli.
My eyes are transfixed on the screens so I don’t notice Rene stand. When he drops the tablet on my lap, I look up.
“One more thing,” he adds as he steps to the door. “There is a list of four valuable skills that you all need to learn. I don’t think we have the time to have you all in each class, so split the Genesys into groups of three and have each group learn one specific skill. Your teachers will be waiting for you tomorrow. You all can teach each other what you’ve learned.”
“Okay.” I barely hear him because my focus wants to return to the monitors.
“Atom, if you see anything, you tell me. Don’t do anything on your own. We need to make sure we catch those who want to stop this.” Rene gives me a stern look. He wants to make sure I understand. I nod, and he walks out, closing the door behind him.
My eyes return to the screen for a few more moments, and then they wander back to the tablet. I’m curious about what these classes are that Rene wants us to take. I turn it on and call up the list:
Languages – Learn the 25 most popular languages in the world.
Survival skills – Learn how to make weapons and traps to gather food. Also, learn to farm and cultivate crops.
Mechanical Engineering – Learn how to take apart and put together vehicles and other mechanical systems.
Computer/Electrical Engineering – Learn how to take apart and put together computers, radios, and other electrical components.
I read the list over a couple of times and realize that I’m going to have a tough time choosing the right combination of people. Some are obvious choices. Ev and Cal would be great with Languages. Their personalities would be welcome to anyone we might come across. Ox and Titan are perfect for the Mechanical Engineering class. Mag and Sil are both quiet and would probably be good with the detailed work of Electrical Engineering.
K and Hydro are a perfect match for Survival, but I don’t know where everyone else should go, including myself. I feel that I would be suitable for all of them. Survival seems more interesting, so I will probably do that. Fe’s instincts would make her good for either Survival or Mechanical. Since there are already three of us in Survival, I will have to place her in Mechanical. I really don’t want to put her in the group with Titan.
As I look over the list to see if I can place her anywhere else, I hear Grant’s voice in my head. “Emotions are the fog that clouds your instincts.”
He’s right. I have to make the right choices for the group. As much as I don’t like it, Fe is a good fit for Mechanical. Al is a better fit for Electrical than Sodi, so I place Sodi in Languages with Ev and Cal.
After figuring that out, I lie in bed and watch more of the monitors. The Genesys are still with Dr. Kivuli, so I look at the other screens to gather more information. Most of the monitors show different hallways and rooms around the compound. Two show the medical ward, and I can see Dr. Peters and Dr. Metzger working on patients. Another monitor shows the empty simulation room. About four of them display the exterior parts of the compound.
I spot 80 in one of them, talking in a shadowy corner to a small group of drones. He looks very aggravated. I’m glad that he’s back, and I can’t wait to introduce him to the other Genesys.
Movement in the monitor with Dr. Kivuli pulls my attention. The Genesys are standing up, and I know I should probably get down there while they are still together. I stand and head out the door with the tablet in my hand.
As I walk down the maze of hallways, I pass more scientists than I’m used to seeing. It would make sense since I am now living in the same area as they are. I never realized how segregated we were before.
“Hey, Atom. How are you feeling?” I look up to see Brianna walking toward me. She’s accompanied by another young female scientist slightly taller than she is, with hair blacker than shadows.
“I’m a little tired, but the leg feels good,” I stammer.
“That’s good to hear,” the other scientist says as she extends her hand. “I’m Dr. Cicca. I’ll be teaching Survival Techniques.”
“That’s me.” I shake her hand. Instantly, I am embarrassed by my reaction. I don’t know why I said that, and now I feel like an idiot. Before I can make more of a fool of myself, I continue past them. “I need to go see the other Genesys. See you soon.”
I feel my cheeks flush as I continue down the hall. A smile graces my face as I laugh at myself for my awkwardness. When I turn the next corner, I see Ox, Mag, K, and Ev walking toward me.
“Atom!” Ev runs to me with a big smile on her face, but she slows to a stop as she gets closer. Her smile goes away. “Glad to see you’re okay.”
She waits for the rest of the group to catch up to her. Her sudden switch confuses me. I thought she was embarrassed by the previous incident, but she would be over that by now. She’s definitely not embarrassed. She looks mad at me. I want to ask her why, but I know that now is not the time.
“Let’s head back to the room. Is everyone else still there?” I look at Mag.
“I think so,” she says.
“Okay, good. I have a lot to tell you guys.”
They turn to head back to the room, and I follow. As we approach, Sodi and Sil walk out, but Ox waves them back in.
When we enter, Cal, Al, Hydro, and Fe come over and bombard me with questions. Fe gives me a hug, and I see Ev furrow her brow out of the corner of my eye. I manage to pull away from them and walk to the front of the room.
“Alright, everyone. I’ve got a lot to say, so will you all just take a seat, please?” I look around at the group. A smile cheats its way to my face as I realize that this is the first time I’m looking at them unified. The twelve of us are family.
Most of the Genesys take a seat, except for Titan, Sil, and surprisingly Ev. Titan and Sil, I expected, but I think Ev is doing it to spite me. I’m hurt by this, but I press on.
I choose not to look at her as I speak. “First off, I am fine. My leg feels good, and we will continue the simulations in a couple of days. In the meantime, Rene told me that we’ll be taking some new classes. He asked me to split us into four groups so that each group may master one discipline.
“Ev, Cal, and Sodi, you will be learning the Languages of the world.” I look at their faces, and as I expected, Cal and Ev are content. Sodi doesn’t really give a reaction.
“Mag, Sil, and Al, you all will be in Computer and Electrical Engineering. You will learn everything you can about the wirings of any electrical and computer device.” I don’t expect them to quite understand what they will be learning, because I’m not too sure myself. I look at Al, and he’s got a frown on his face. He’s disappointed that he won’t be with Hydro.
“Titan, Ox, and Fe. You three will be learning Mechanical Engineering. This is basically how to take apart and build things.” At least, I think that’s what it is. All three of them appear to be happy with their placement.
“K, Hydro, and I will be taking survival techniques. This deals more with hunting and gathering, building shelters and harvesting crops.” I glance over at K and Hydro. Hydro looks uneasy, like Al.
“Why do we have to be separated?” she asks. The murmurs of some of the other Genesys tell me that they were wondering the same thing.
“Rene believes that we don’t have time to all take each class. He said th
at we would need to teach each other what we’ve learned.” That’s the most satisfactory answer I can think of.
“Why don’t we have time?” Ox asks.
“Yeah. What’s going on?” Titan adds.
I take a deep breath. “I honestly don’t know for sure. All I can think of is that he is afraid of more threats from the outsiders. I was just outside talking to one of the drones—”
“80 is back?” Ev perks up.
“Yes.” I smile at her.
“Who’s 80?” Fe asks. There is a hint of jealousy in her voice.
“He’s one of the drones. He was sent away to work on the bunkers, but they brought him and most of the other drones back after the last attack.” As I look around the room, I get the sense that some of the Genesys might not receive 80 too well. Cal seems a bit disturbed.
“So Rene is afraid that the outsiders will attack again?” Mag speaks up. Fear glazes her words.
“I believe so. When I was out there, I saw many of those Flyz hovering above the city and attacking various things. I think they are trying to kill off any threat from outside the compound.” I’m processing the information as I say it, and I’m not sure how I feel about it. I don’t like the idea of living in fear of another attack. However, I still understand why the outsiders are doing what they are.
“That’s so wrong!” Hydro shouts. The anger behind her eyes is even louder. She storms out of the room, and Al follows after her.
The rest of the group looks at me in anticipation of any more information. “We’re done.”
Most of them walk out. Some talk among themselves about what I just told them. Cal walks up to me and smacks me on the shoulder. “I’m glad you’re back.”
“Me too, buddy.” I smack him back. “You should come out to the grounds by the drone quarters tonight. I’m meeting up with 80, and I want to introduce you.”
“Sure.” Cal smiles, but there isn’t much behind it. He walks out of the room.
I turn and see Ev standing right next to me. I stumble over my words. “You should come too. I know he would be happy to see you.”
“We need to talk,” she says flatly. Ev turns and heads out of the room.
I catch up and do my best to match her pace. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” she responds and continues down the hallways without saying another word. After a few more turns, she reaches a door and walks in. I follow.
“What’s going on?” I look around the room. The layout is similar to Grant’s old room, except for the monitors. The wall that would have multiple monitors only has a single big one. Next to it is another bookshelf with an abundance of folders and tablets.
Ev leans against the wall farthest away from me. “I’ve been looking around and reading a lot of the files in this room—”
“What are the files?” I interrupt.
“Just listen, Atom.” She glares at me.
“Sorry.” I lean against the wall behind me.
“As I was saying.” She grabs a tablet from the desk beside her. “I was going through everything in this room. Rene had asked me to. At first, it was just boring files and data, but then I came across this tablet.”
“What’s on it?” My curiosity wins out.
Ev stares at me. “What I found on here was a series of messages about a gathering of scientists who are looking to sabotage Rene’s plan.”
“Really? Who sent those messages? Whose room is this?” I can’t contain my excitement at the breakthrough.
“Will you just shut up and listen?” Ev yells at me.
“Fine!” I feel some anger building inside me.
“This one message was alarming.” Ev holds the tablet up to my face.
Mutineers!
Just a reminder that the attack on the compound will be happening this evening. Be sure to stay away from the hot zones.
“Did you know about this, Atom? The Mutineers?” She stares intently at me.
“I didn’t know that they called themselves that. Grant had told me to keep an eye out,” I say.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” She raises her voice. She’s obviously hurt.
“He asked me not to. Whose room is this?” I feel my voice rising.
“I thought we had no secrets!” Tears begin to travel down her cheeks.
I push against the wall to walk over to her, but I stop myself, unsure how she would react. “I’m sorry, Ev. But now you know, and we need to find out who these people are before anything else happens.”
“Does Rene know?” She wipes the tears from her face.
“He figured it out after the attack. He’s asked me to help him out, and I want you to help me out.” I smile at her.
She gives me half a smile. “Okay.”
“We need to tell Rene about this,” I say.
“Yeah. I’ll keep reading through everything to see if I can find out anything more,” she says, pushing herself away from the wall.
“Ev, whose room was this?” I try one last time, pleading to her with my eyes.
“Dr. Dennis O’Neal.” She looks right at me.
“Dennis?” The name hits me hard. He was the chief doctor in the medical bay. He helped 80, Titan, and even Rene recover. I felt like I trusted him. If he was a part of these Mutineers, that means it really could be anyone.
CHAPTER XIII
This night is one of the darkest I can remember. I look around as I walk toward the pile of rubble 80 and I sat on before, and I don’t spot the moon anywhere. The wind blows at my face, carrying the smoky smell from the city. My eyes water, and I rub them to get rid of the dry sting.
80’s dark silhouette is barely visible, but I see that someone is sitting next to him. I wonder if Cal already came out.
“Atom!” I hear a voice shout from behind me. I turn to see Cal running toward me. He is obviously not with 80.
“Hey.” I turn to the rubble as Cal falls into step with me.
“So you’re really friends with a drone?” A hint of spite accompanies his words.
“He’s a good guy. You’ll like him,” I say as I reach the rubble. We climb up to join 80 and another drone at the top. The other drone looks more weathered and slightly older than 80. His head is shaved, and he has a scar running diagonally from his left temple to the back of his head.
“This is 13,” 80 says.
“Hey.” I reach my hand out, and he takes it. His expression remains stoic. I motion to Cal. “This is Cal.”
“What’s up?” Cal smiles. We take a seat on the rubble. I sit next to 80, and Cal sits to my right.
“So, 13, were you at one of the shelters?” I ask.
“Yeah,” he mumbles.
80 looks at me. “He was with me. He had been there since the beginning.”
“What happened to your eye?” Cal blurts out. I elbow him on the side. “What? I’m curious.”
13 glares at Cal. 80 smirks. “It’s okay. I was shot.”
“Protecting me,” I add with a smile. 13’s glare shifts to me. He’s hard to read, but he doesn’t come across as very open or inviting.
“What about your scar?” Cal presses, looking directly at 13. I turn to him and see that he’s stoking the flame on purpose. He’s trying to get a reaction out of them.
“What the hell, Cal?” I stare at him. He furrows his brow and looks off toward the city. I turn back to 80 and 13. “Sorry about that.”
Without warning, Cal stands up and heads down the rubble pile and back to the compound.
“Where are you going?” I yell after him, but he’s already too far and doesn’t respond.
“Nice friend,” 13 says under his breath.
“I don’t know what’s up with him. Sorry about that,” I respond as I see Cal disappear into the building. I really don’t know why he’s acting so strange. Anger builds in my chest, and I feel my hands ball up into fists. How could he be so rude?
“Don’t worry about it.” 80 puts his hand on my shoulder. “Things have gotten crazy he
re, haven’t they? I saw that Grant is gone.”
“Things are definitely different. The timetable has been moved up, and everyone is stressing out over it.” I realize that I have also been stressing about it. I still don’t feel prepared, and I’m not sure I ever will.
“Did they say when they moved the timetable up to?” 13 pries, finally making eye contact with me. 80 shakes his head at 13, and he looks away.
Their exchange looks a bit weird, but I think nothing of it. “No one has told me an exact date, but I’m sure Rene knows.”
“So he’s still planning on setting off the nukes,” 80 says, almost to himself.
“He is. I hope it works.” I’m surprised that those words just escaped from my mouth, and I want to take them back. I feel their eyes looking at me, so I try to change the subject. “So what have they got you guys doing?”
After a few moments of awkward silence, 80 finally speaks. “13 and I have been overseeing the cleanup and reconstruction here at the compound. We just volunteered to go into the city and help with the attacks.”
“Why would you volunteer? You’re safer here,” I ask.
“To protect you, of course,” 13 answers with obvious sarcasm. He has the same attitude toward me that Cal had toward them. It disappoints me. I was really hoping that we would all get along.
“That’s enough, 13!” 80 yells at his friend. “Go back to your bunker. We’ll talk later.”
Without a word, 13 heads down the pile in the direction of the drone bunkers. The quiet he leaves us with is thick and unnatural. The comfort that I used to feel when I hung out with 80 has been stolen away. He’s more serious than he was before. In his defense, I’m sure I have changed as well.
“So it sounds like you agree with what the scientists are doing now.” The hurt I hear in his words is harder to handle than the silence.
“I really don’t know. This last attack was savage, and from how you described what you experienced, I just don’t see any hope for improvement.” As I speak, I feel my mind and heart agree with my words.
“But what gives you—I mean the scientists—the right to decide their fate? It’s genocide,” 80 snaps at me.