by S. E. Weir
That sounded so like her dad. Phina couldn’t help the tears that welled up but she remained silent, nodding that he should continue.
“One afternoon, Chris met with someone who had contacted him about a possible job. The offer sounded strange to me, so I tagged along. I used the skills I had acquired to blend in and make it seem like Chris was alone. The guy he met was a headhunter looking to recruit him for the CIA, an agency in the United States that spied on other countries to make sure they weren’t trying to attack us or screw us over.”
“A human hunted his own kind for their heads?” Sundancer yowled scandalously. “You humans are barbaric!”
Link chuckled and explained. “No, it’s a term that means he looked for people to hire for his company. He wanted them alive.”
Slightly mollified, Sundancer murmured a few imperceptible words and bent down to lap up some more milk while Link continued.
“This agent made the job sound very attractive to both of us and almost tailor-made to both our interests. I revealed myself, causing the guy to lose a few months of his life.” Link chuckled. “After his initial surprise, he grew very excited to have us both in the agency after we graduated.”
“Fast forward a couple of years, the two of us graduated and had started training at The Farm. We both took to the training like we were born for it. It was there that your dad met your mom.”
He looked at Phina with a small smile on his face and it made her realize how alone Link had been since her parents had died. Her heart pinched in sympathy. She wasn’t the only one who had felt devastated by their deaths. Phina gave him a reassuring smile in return. He nodded his understanding and continued his story.
“She was also of mixed ethnicity, partly Japanese. Your parents were drawn to each other immediately. They had to be careful, and it took time for their relationship to develop. Everyone was suspicious of each other in the training camp since we were often pitted against the others. However, Chris and I were solid and inseparable, and we included Zoe more as time went on.”
Mixed emotions flicked across Link’s face, but he continued. “Fast forward another six years. Zoe, Chris, and I, along with another agent named Brian Anderson, were at the top of our field in the agency. There had been talk of moving a couple of us into the fast track to the top of the company. However, several things happened within a couple of months of each other. Chris and Zoe were growing anxious to get married and start a life together, something that was not likely to happen with their current careers as spies.”
A quick intake of breath was all Phina showed on the outside, but on the inside, her heart thumped loudly.
Her parents were spies?
She almost couldn’t believe it since they had always said they were soldiers. Marines. Yet, given her father’s spy stories and the way they had taught her to be independent, constantly curious, and questioning everything… It made too much sense. Phina had to rein in her thoughts so she could hear the rest as Link continued.
“Brian had begun a relationship with a Japanese agent named Chuya Fumiko and had taken a lot of heat from our superiors for it. They knew it was only a matter of time before they were killed or forced apart for endangering their respective agencies. Zoe’s cover as a political negotiator had also been targeted by an extremist group who hated women being outside of their narrow-minded box and had to be careful about being seen publicly.
“Not long after, I heard from my family’s lawyers that my father had died and I needed to take care of the estate, whatever there was of it.” His tone changed at the mention of his father’s death. “Around the same time, we had grown extremely uncomfortable with our orders to infiltrate and investigate this secretive company that had come out of nowhere. They were building technology that was far beyond anything the rest of Earth possessed. Our objective was to steal as much of the proprietary tech as we could.”
Phina spoke as she realized. “TQB. Bethany Anne’s company.”
“Right.” Link nodded, his eyes approving. “We didn’t agree with the orders, but disobeying orders is not healthy in any of the agencies. So, the others investigated the company to see what they were up to and if there was a way to fulfill our orders without compromising our integrity—such as it was for those who spy on others.” Link shrugged. “Meanwhile, I returned to my father’s house to take care of things. While there, I found in the paperwork a letter from my grandfather written years before that mentioned a rift between my father and the rest of his family. There was an old picture of my father and his brother holding an infant boy the picture labeled John.”
Link’s face turned focused and intense. “When I received an encrypted report from the others, there was a document listing the CEO of the targeted company and her closest associates. A man named John Grimes was on the list. There could have been two different men with the same name, but I had been taught to rule out coincidences. I investigated and learned they were the same man. I concluded that while my father wasn’t worth the space he took up, John was a good man who had his people’s backs and wouldn’t support someone shady.”
Phina nodded and sat back. That matched with what she knew of the big man. Link glanced around the room. Phina’s eyes followed and saw that while Braeden was quiet, he was intent on the story. Sundancer had laid down and had his eyes closed, but a twitch of his ears told her he was still awake and likely listening.
“This is longer than I meant it to be, but it helps you understand what happened later and why.” He cleared his throat and looked around for something to drink. Phina got up and got him some water. He drank half in one gulp as she settled herself down again before he continued.
“To make a long story shorter, we contacted the company and were transferred to a man named Frank Kurns, who we learned was head of intelligence. We offered him five highly trained spies and our help in keeping the agencies from finding out the information they needed if TQB took us with them when they left. After some negotiations, he agreed, and we used the remaining time we had to disseminate information through various channels that included false trails, leads, and disinformation.
“Within several months, none of the agencies had any idea what was real and what was fabricated.” He grinned in satisfaction. “Of course, we had no idea at the time that ADAM was helping with that behind the scenes. Between us, we had established relationships with many groups and agencies around the world, and we used them to disperse our false information. By the time they realized we had played them all—and by all, I mean everyone we had contact with in the United States and out—we were gone into space with the rest of TQB.”
Chapter Thirteen
Braeden stirred for the first time in a while, leaning forward. “That was a large risk for you. You used your sources to help a company you weren’t familiar with. You were very trusting.”
Link nodded, his eyes very solemn despite his smile. “We call that putting all our eggs in one basket. We had checked TQB out thoroughly, and everyone we talked to, including those who didn’t like them, said that they kept their word. So, being desperate and looking for a way to have a life on our terms, we took the chance. And it worked.”
He grinned for a moment, then dropped his eyes as his smile died. “I’m certain that joining the Empire was the best and only real decision we could have made. However, it wasn’t without cost. The first few years, we struggled to battle the rebel Yollins specifically and anyone else who seemed to get a hair on to attack the Empire. One of the biggest areas we expanded immediately was intelligence. The five of us were always busy and much happier since we didn’t feel like we were compromising ourselves to do our job. Brian and Chuya were married and almost immediately had a boy they named Jason, who they called Jace.”
Link looked up to meet Phina’s gaze. She nodded to acknowledge that she knew. “He told me a little about your connection on the first day I saw him again.”
“He told you about the guardianship?” Link asked in surprise. At her nod,
he looked thoughtful then let out a deep breath. “Well, that’s coming, but not yet. Chris and Zoe had been trying on and off for years to have a baby and never managed it. Maternal leave was one of the few acceptable reasons for a woman to not be required to be in the field while we were at the agency, so by this time they knew Zoe had a condition that prevented her from having children, although they still tried.”
Phina frowned at that new information. Obviously, something had happened to change that, or she wouldn’t be here.
“Chris and Zoe threw themselves into their work after we came to Yollin space, doing everything they could to be assets to the Empire. Even though we worked in the background, their efforts and dedication were noticed by the Empress. They got an offer to have their bodies upgraded with nanocytes that would allow them to remain younger for a long time, until the end of the fight with the Kurtherians.”
Phina leaned forward eagerly. Her parents hadn’t shared much information about the past, and this was new and fascinating to her.
Link looked straight ahead as he continued. “The Empress calls it Ad Aeternitatem, words from an old Earth language that means ‘for eternity.’ Only a small percentage of the Empire will ever get this offer because it means you have proven your dedication, Something that takes full focus and heart, backed up with actions. When I gave them the offer, I asked them if they would accept. Your parents told me that what they wanted most in the universe was a baby.”
He gave Phina a small smile, and her vision misted again. Phina knew her parents loved her, but she had no idea they had given up so much for her.
“What they didn’t know at the time was that Zoe was already pregnant. However, the pregnancy was in danger of miscarriage due to her condition. That brings us to ADAM and TOM’s part in this story.”
He looked up with a gesture, then surreptitiously wiped his eyes before picking up his glass to finish the water.
TOM began speaking matter-of-factly, which was a welcome relief for Phina from the charged emotions. “Hello, Phina. I have spoken about you often to ADAM and Bethany Anne, but I believe this is the first time we have spoken.”
Phina smiled and wondered if TOM saw through the camera the same way as ADAM did. “Hello, TOM. Are you an AI like ADAM?”
TOM chuckled. “No, I am not an AI. It is a badly kept secret, but not for public consumption.” Phina nodded and shifted to one side to prop her chin on her hand. “I am a Kurtherian.”
Phina straightened in shock. “What? But aren’t we fighting the Kurtherians?”
“Yes. You see, our people lived in clans a long time ago. They split into two factions—one side believing that they were superior to all other beings and had the right to use and alter others as they saw fit. The other side believed that Kurtherians were no more deserving to be elevated than any other species. The first group consisted of seven clans, so we often refer to them as the Seven. Our clan was one of the five who opposed them.”
At this, TOM’s voice hardened. “The Seven separated themselves from the Five and focused on taking over the universe one species at a time, either through subjugation or genetic altering, or both. Over a thousand years ago, I left my clan to recruit others to fight them. I had a light crash into Earth which I was lucky to survive with my ship mostly intact. However, I realized the damage was enough that I wouldn’t be able to leave for quite some time, if ever.”
TOM’s tone was very much that of someone relating facts and not the events of his life.
“After a time, I inadvertently created what humans called vampires when a human male stumbled into my ship near death. I hadn’t encountered humans before and didn’t have their genetics mapped in the Pod-doc. The encounter was very painful for him, and although he was healed, he left right after. Fast forward a very boring thousand years for me, and that same man brought Bethany Anne to be adjusted with nanocytes so that she could live and take over as head of his family. Well, I won’t share more of her story, but let’s say Bethany Anne and I have been friends ever since, and that put into motion the events that brought us into space to fight the Kurtherians, those of the Seven.”
“I see,” Phina responded slowly. “So, the Pod-doc is Kurtherian technology. As are the nanocytes.”
“Yes,” TOM answered simply. “Which brings us full circle to you. Phina, as you may have surmised, you were the baby Zoe was pregnant with during the conversation with Greyson... Pardon, but would you prefer me to refer to you in close company as Greyson or Lincoln?”
Link looked up with a frown, his eyebrows furrowed. “I‘ve gotten used to Greyson, but if you call me Link privately, I’m not going to quibble.”
“Understood, thank you. Phina, there was an issue with your genetics.”
Phina sat back and tried to think this through. She had a basic understanding of genetics, but it wasn’t something she had ever explored. “Do you mean something was wrong with my chromosomes?”
“Yes. There are several conditions that can cause miscarriage in humans. Several of these conditions are caused by a fetus carrying extra chromosomes. Yours in particular was a condition doctors call triploidy. Normally a human would carry twenty-three chromosomes from their father and twenty-three from their mother. However, you had an extra set of chromosomes from your mother, totaling sixty-nine. This condition is usually fatal in the womb, and those babies who do survive don’t tend to live very long.”
Phina listened intently, her eyes widening. “Since I’m still here, I’m assuming you did something to change that?”
“Yes. Zoe had a Pod-doc treatment to stabilize the pregnancy and infuse you with nanocytes. However, because your fetal body couldn’t handle the fluctuations of the Etheric, Zoe was still close to miscarrying you.”
Phina’s mind raced in putting together the implications of the information TOM had relayed. “Does that mean you used Kurtherian DNA to adjust mine?”
“Yes. While it is uncommon for humans to carry sixty-nine chromosomes and survive, it is very common for Kurtherians. It is part of what gives us higher intelligence and the ability to use the Etheric in small ways. We informed your parents of the potential consequences, but their only concern was to have a happy, healthy baby.”
“How does that work? Why do I still look human, then?” Phina’s mind raced, thinking about the ramifications of this one little piece of knowledge. No wonder she had always felt different! Phina couldn’t sit still anymore and got up to pace behind her chair.
“Because ADAM and I were very careful. We were in territory we hadn’t encountered before. We carefully spliced your DNA with Kurtherian to make you stronger and better able to handle the nanocytes. Once that happened, the nanocytes optimized your DNA, which made your body able to accept the rest of the adjustments. Your mother was very patient with us and knew we were trying our best to give you as normal a life as possible.
“You did come to have increased mental capacity and desire for logic, finding complex mathematics much easier. That is a part of the Kurtherian makeup. You had inherited a fluid understanding of languages and patterns from your mother and an intuitive nature from your father. Your sensitivity to the Etheric is also in part from your mother. Each of these traits was expanded by the genetic changes and later became enhanced by the nanocytes from the serum.”
Phina had stopped pacing and stood half-stunned after hearing ADAM’s explanation. She finally shook her head. “Wow. I don’t know what to say.”
Link appeared surprised as well. “I hadn’t heard any of this before, TOM. Why wasn’t I told?”
“Because you didn’t need to know. Up until now, only ADAM, Bethany Anne, I, and Phina’s parents had any knowledge of this. We told them not to share it with anyone but Phina when she was old enough. That didn’t happen because Zoe and Chris were killed while on assignment. We are trusting you, Braeden, and Sundancer to have Phina’s best interest at heart. We didn’t want people to look at her any differently, nor did we want others to ask us to do the same for t
hem.
“We gave assurances to Phina’s parents that she would be all right. However, we were aware there could be factors we hadn’t accounted for and couldn’t determine until she reached the peak of her growth formation. This would have happened around the age of twenty-five. Now, with the interference from Faith Rochelle, we still won’t know for certain if she would have needed an intervention from the genetic changes.” He had a note of disappointment in his voice but continued, “All I can tell you is that as of now, everything in Phina’s body is stabilized, her nanocytes are optimized, and genetically there shouldn’t be any issues from now on.”
“I understand,” Link murmured, lost in thought.
Phina gathered her thoughts then turned with an earnest expression to Link, Braeden, and Sundancer, who had his eyes open and was watching her intently. “Thank you, TOM, ADAM, and Link for your parts in helping me, both in being born healthy and more recently with what landed me in the coma.”
Link looked up and gave her a rare full smile. “My pleasure, kid.”
TOM responded, “Of course. You’re very welcome.”
ADAM replied over her implant, >>You are welcome, Phina. Do you want to hear the rest now or later?<<
Phina’s eyebrows rose in surprise and she spoke out loud. “There’s more? How much more?”
“Ah,” TOM answered. “Yes, there is more related to the circumstances that led to your coma, but it is less involved.”
“Go on.” Phina sighed as she began pacing again. “I’m going to need some major processing time after this.”
