by L. J. Suarez
Before she spoke, Rachel scanned the room to make sure no one was listening. “The Colonel’s got a team of scientists and doctors led by Dr. Cane. Some of them are former CDC employees. They’re performing experiments on some of the residents, including the soldiers. Since the beginning of the outbreak they’ve been trying to figure out why we were immune to Spirit Flu. I heard they’re also attempting to strengthen our DNA to prevent future infections from any other diseases, or some shit like that.”
Claire hung onto every word.
Rachel paused. “Do you think they’re trying to turn us into a bunch of transhumans?”
Claire shook her head. “I don’t know. But whatever they’re up to, I don’t like it.”
An electric bell began chiming. Almost on cue, everyone inside the commissary got up from their tables to exit the room.
“Where’s everybody going?” Claire asked.
“The Colonel’s about to address the community,” Rachel said. Without another word, she hurried out of her seat and exited the commissary.
“Let’s go, baby,” Claire said to Tim. She lifted him off the seat and followed the residents outside. They made their way to the center of downtown, where a large gathering of the settlement’s residents stood around a wooden stage. Everyone seemed to be waiting for something. Rachel was standing next to them. Then Colonel Ward and Dr. Cane took the stage as two soldiers took their posts in front of the platform, assault rifles at their sides. The two men on stage didn’t seem to have changed their clothes since morning: Ward wore his green army uniform, while Cane wore his white lab coat over his civilian clothes.
The Colonel grabbed the mic from a stand. “Good evening, everybody. Thanks for coming out. I hope you ‘all had a good meal. The chef really outdid himself with the beef tonight.”
The crowd let a few chuckles of acknowledgment.
“I’ve called this meeting as today marks ten years since the Spirit Flu outbreak decimated our planet’s population. We, for one reason or another, have been spared. Some of you might be asking yourselves, ‘why me?’ ‘Why was I spared from this horrible disease while my family and friends weren’t?’ These are difficult questions to ask ourselves. Why? I’ve even asked these very questions myself, on many occasions. Like you, I’ve lost those dear to me. Some of you might even be thinking we were the lucky ones. Well, I’m here to tell you that luck had nothing to do with it. We were spared for a reason. Today, our scientists and researchers have made an incredible breakthrough that might have vast implications for our future. To tell you more about it, I’ll hand it over to Dr. Cane who will fill you in on the details. Doc?”
Ward handed the mike to Cane. “As you are all aware, my team and I have been studying our immunity to the Spirit Flu for the past several years. We have been running various experiments using volunteers, both from military and local residents. I believe we are close to unlocking the secret to the genes that have shielded us from this devastating plague. To put it quite frankly, when you stop to think about it, the Spirit Flu was a blessing in disguise.” Cane paused for effect.
Claire blinked twice, unsure how to feel about what Cane had said. She observed a few faces in the crowd, none of whom seemed bothered. In fact, the residents seemed as though they were in a congregation, looking up at Cane like some spiritual leader spreading gospel. Claire’s stomach turned.
Cane continued. “What I’m about to say next will sound even harsher, but it is no less true. We have come to realize that this virus rid the Earth of the unfit. The undesirables. The weak. I understand that many of you lost people close to you during the plague: family, friends. But their sacrifice has allowed us to unlock certain secrets of our physiology we haven’t even begun to decipher. We—” He paused again. “We were spared so we could build a new world. A better world. A world free from war, disease, hunger—from all human imperfections. In time, we shall unlock the secrets within our own DNA. Secrets that will determine what makes us special.
“Maybe not in our lifetime, perhaps generations from now, our race could evolve into something greater, a superior race. And we shall push the first domino to ignite our ascendance in the evolutionary plain. Imagine: perfect beings, immune to any and all disease. Imagine the wonders they will accomplish. We must allow what’s left of the old world to die in order to give rise to the new world, our world. The possibilities are staggering. I will soon ask for more volunteers for the next round of experiments; you can see me if you wish to partake. We have all the resources we need, right here in this settlement. We can do this. And we will do this—together.”
The crowd applauded, some even cheering. Rachel applauded too, but based on her expression, it was more out of fear of repercussions. What those repercussions might be, Claire couldn’t guess. Even the Colonel joined in the celebration, raising a fist high as if he’d won a sporting event. Claire looked around at all the people, dread slowly filling her. She didn’t quite know what to make of what she was seeing. The realization finally hit her like a ton of bricks: It was a mistake coming here.
“What’s everybody cheering for, Momma?” Tim asked.
Claire looked toward him, taken aback; it had been a while since she’d heard her son speak. Tears welled in her eyes as she turned back to the cheering crowd. She shook her head. “I don’t know, baby.”
She gave Cane a stern stare. He wore an eerie smile as the crowd cheered him on. None of this sat well with her. She had always known something was off about the mild-mannered scientist, but now she knew the new world had turned him into a madman. Why would these people follow this monster?
Great Falls wasn’t what she’d hoped it would be, and the cheering residents were no better. She had just begun to feel good about this place—that they had finally found their safe haven. She desperately wanted this place to work out, unlike the countless other camps she had to flee. But when she thought about all the struggles she and Tim had endured outside the gates, she knew they couldn’t go back out there—it was too dangerous. The truth was, she was tired of wandering from state to state with no sense of direction or purpose.
What should I do?
The answer became obvious: nothing. Despite Cane’s outlandish claims, Claire’s priority was the survival of herself and her child. Some of these people probably didn’t believe what Cane spewed, anyway—they were likely playing into it for their own survival.
That’s what she had been doing all these years: surviving at all costs. The thought of escaping the settlement in the middle of the night crossed her mind for the briefest of moments, but the only way out of here was through the heavily-guarded gate. The soldiers would most certainly stop them before they got too far. And something told her they would not allow her to freely leave.
So she decided then and there to do what these people were doing: turn a blind eye, go along with things. They would stay in Great Falls, blend in as best they could despite the horrors they would likely endure.
There was no other option.
For her sake and Tim’s sake—for their survival—they would stay.
Chapter Seven
EMPYREUM
YEAR 12039
Ionne couldn’t help but be in awe as she stepped into the main lobby of the Science Institute.
Before her, a sixty-foot glass panel rose in a graceful curve toward the high ceiling. Metal pillars broke up the expanse, reflecting passersby, adding to the energy coursing through the space. Civilians and institute workers alike moved briskly through the lobby. Ionne marveled at a digital representation of the Institute’s logo, which resembled an atom hovering at the lobby’s center.
She had wanted to come to this place ever since she was a child. The scientists within these walls had made many breakthroughs in medicine, technology, and most notably, synthetic biology. The Monad civilization owed most of its physiological and technological advances to the brilliance of scientists who spent their lives at the Institute working for the common good.
Empyr
eum was itself a technological wonder. Home to over ten million Monads, it was the most populated and largest city ever constructed. Four major districts made it up, each covering an area of up to 220 square miles. The swirling skyscrapers, vegetation growing up their walls, offered the capital city an almost organic feel; the enormous structures blended well with the natural landscapes.
This also marked her first trip to the capital city. Ionne hoped she would be able to visit the endless waterfall, which poured immeasurable amounts of water down a bottomless chasm in the Central Plaza District. Out of the thirteen cities on the planet, she could see herself living in Empyreum someday.
Admittedly, Ionne had been a bit reluctant to come here. But after Kieran’s visit to the museum two days ago, and after speaking with The Archivist, she owed it to herself to find out more about Kieran’s secret project.
“Dr. Ionne,” a voice called out.
Ionne turned to see a woman in an Institute lab jumpsuit walking toward her. “Greetings, and welcome to the Science Institute. I am Valriya, Dr. Kieran’s aide. We have been expecting you.”
“Thank you,” Ionne said politely.
“He has asked me to escort you to his laboratory. Please follow me.”
Ionne followed Valriya through the spacious atrium into an elevator. Getting off at the 40th floor of the facility, they passed through a short corridor and into a large, windowless laboratory. Through the sliding doors, Ionne saw Kieran speaking to an institute technician.
Kieran turned, a large grin appearing. “Ah, Dr. Ionne, you have finally made it.” Kieran turned to Valriya. “That will be all, Valriya. Thank you.”
Valriya bowed and exited the lab.
“I trust your trip to the capital was favorable?” Kieran asked.
“It was, thank you.” Ionne said.
“Excellent. I am most pleased that you reconsidered my invitation.”
Ionne betrayed a satisfied grin. “Well, I must say I was intrigued by this project you mentioned. I decided it was to my best interest to come and see for myself exactly what it is.”
“And that you shall,” Kieran assured her. He moved his hand in the direction he wanted Ionne to follow. “Please, this way.”
They passed down a long staircase toward the lower section of the lab. Technicians worked at their stations, various sphere-shaped lab drones hovering here and there. Ionne noticed several more workstations divided by glass walls. One technician was particularly focused on an image in mid-air; a holographic pad floated over her open palms as she reviewed her notes. Inside the glass workstations were different animal species that Ionne didn’t recognize.
Kieran stopped in front of one of the stations. “Tell me, Dr. Ionne,” he said, turning to her, “do you recognize this species?”
Ionne took a few steps forward and peered through the glass, studying the creature carefully. She had seen this animal before, both in holographic representations and in fossil form. “Is—this a gazelle?”
“It is indeed,” Kieran said with a proud nod of the head. “A female, to be exact.”
Ionne placed a hand against the glass, eyeing the creature more closely. “But this animal has been extinct for at least…5,000 years.”
“Closer to 10,000, by our calculations,” Kieran corrected.
Ionne looked at the gazelle again. The animal turned to meet her gaze with its dark eyes while a lab technician inside the workstation examined it with his Optic Implants. The animal appeared to be chewing on grass, a few stems hanging from the side of her mouth.
Ionne turned to Kieran. “This is a clone?”
Kieran smiled, nodded. “I understand this was one of the species you studied before you left the field. I figured you would appreciate seeing a living specimen. All the creatures you see on display have been recreated in our laboratory.”
“I thought cloning had not been practiced for centuries?” asked Ionne in astonishment. It was well-known that cloning was considered frivolous at one point in Monad history. The Council had ordered the termination of the practice, and scientists had since directed their attention to other areas of biotechnology such as agricultural and industrial.
“It had not been—until the Council granted us special permission to utilize the technique once more. I successfully convinced them that it would be vital to my research.” Kieran pointed to a large pod with a glass top at the other end of the lab. “We were able to extract genetic material from the animal’s preserved remains. Then, using a DNA scissoring technique along with our genesis pods here, we were able to successfully recreate the creature at a subatomic level.” Kieran took a few steps forward. “This is what Project Extant is: bringing extinct species to our time so we may observe and study them.”
Ionne turned back to the gazelle. Her smile widened. “I have always wondered what this animal looked like when it was still alive. It is as beautiful as I had imagined.”
“There is one more thing I wish to show you that will prove even more astonishing.” He motioned for Ionne to follow.
They stopped at the center of the room, where a large, holographic display resembling a dig site materialized in front of Kieran. “These are the northern plains of the Outlands. During an archeological dig in one of the more remote regions, a team of researchers stumbled upon the remnants of a structure that predates our own civilization.”
Ionne watched as Kieran manipulated the holographic image of the dig site with his Optic Implants, enlarging it to fill the room. Only one structure partially protruded from the dark landscape: it looked to be the top portion of a skyscraper of ancient design, a large antenna at its peak.
“The team sent a probe beneath the surface and discovered an ancient city more than three hundred miles wide dug deep within the sands.” Kieran once again manipulated the display, the image switching now to a three-dimensional map of the buried city. “We reviewed the data they gathered and determined that this city once belonged to the Homo sapiens.”
Ionne’s eyes widened as she heard Kieran uttered the name of the extinct race. Kieran continued. “For most of our history, Homo sapiens were nothing more than a myth. There was no hard evidence to prove their existence—until now.” Kieran looked around the room at the holographic image of the site now engulfing them. “Imagine the ramifications of such a find: that we are not the first intelligent species to occupy this world. This is why I want you to lead an expeditionary group to this site and excavate the ancient city. You may choose the team members at your discretion. There could be more cities such as this one throughout the world. Hundreds, perhaps thousands, buried deep in sand and rock. We could even find actual human remains, thus further proving their existence. The possibilities of what we may uncover out there are truly endless.”
Ionne’s smile faded, and she lowered her head. “I appreciate your confidence in me, Dr. Kieran,” she said softly. Facing Kieran, she said, “And it truly is an opportunity of a lifetime. But I no longer wish to do field work. I wish to continue my work at the museum in Cadon.”
“And why is that?” Kieran asked curiously.
“Well, the truth is, I…” Ionne hesitated. “I do not deserve this opportunity. I am sure there are other, more qualified scientists to take on this assignment.”
“This has to do with your father’s demise, doesn’t it?” Kieran said.
Ionne lowered her head once more in shame, and then nodded. “Because of my actions, he perished at the Outlands. I put my own ambitions before the safety of my colleagues, including my own father’s. I was reckless.” She looked at Kieran with tear-filled eyes. “I will not place myself in a situation like that again, where others could die. I have failed to honor my fellow scientists within the community, including the one I hold most dear.”
Kieran placed a gentle hand on Ionne’s shoulder. “My dear Ionne, it is true that you have much to learn, but know that what happened to your father was not your fault. I knew Derix well, and I know he was very proud of the woman you have becom
e. Taking this assignment will only honor his name. It is what he would have wanted for you.” He motioned toward the hologram of the ancient city. “You and I both know that you were meant to embark on this journey. You may just rediscover who you really are out there. The time has come for you to embrace your destiny.”
A single tear ran down Ionne’s cheek. Filled with emotion, she stared at the holo projection with determination. Perhaps this was an opportunity to redeem her past mistakes, to make her father proud. As Ionne studied the image, she imagined the adventures awaiting her at this ancient site. Suddenly, her mind was made up. She straightened her jumpsuit, wiped her tears, and turned to Kieran. “When shall we begin?”
Chapter Eight
EMPYREUM
YEAR 10027
Inside the dome-shaped Inner Council building, Councilor Gideron entered the meeting chamber and took his seat behind the marble table.
The rest of the council members were already seated and ready to begin. The chamber where the Council met was a circular, windowless room. Large, white stone statues carved in the likeliness of past Monad scholars and philosophers—men and women who had sat in the very seats the council members now occupied—stood around the chamber behind the round table. Many key decisions that had reshaped Monad history for centuries had been made within the walls of this very meeting chamber.
Today was no different.
Heading the meeting was Sirah, the leader of the Inner Council. The tall, thin woman wore a golden robe signifying her rank, while the rest of the council members wore light grey robes. A shimmering, metallic ceremonial crown sat on her head, and she and the rest of the members wore Optic Goggles over their eyes. Every Monad wore these perception goggles to communicate with each other from a distance, as well as to interact with computer terminals throughout the city.
