The Genesis Project

by Tigris Eden

  “Genesis.” He said looking down at her. His hair was disheveled and a stray strand hung over his eye. His fingers flexed against her hips and she pulled away.

  “Adam, I need to pass.” His eyes were accessing her as they scanned her body. When he reached her throat, his eyes widened in disbelief.

  “Where is your collar? I realize your father doesn’t mind your disregard towards customs, but this is Luna. And why are you crying?”

  Her throat tightened. Not because she was in trouble, but because she was matched. And she was standing next to a male, who gave off large amounts of energy. Adam began to tug her towards the front of the dome. He was leading her deeper into the crowd.

  “Stay next to me.”

  “Adam stop.” She was matched to Xander. It didn’t matter that he was a complete ass at the moment. But she was honor bound to him as Adam was honor bound to Bianca.

  “What.”

  “I’m matched.”

  “Bullshit!” His hand was still wrapped around her waist when the crowd began to part, allowing Xander to glide through. He pulled her to his side and glared at Adam.

  “She doesn’t lie.” Xander said against her forehead. He placed a gentle kiss to the side of her head and pulled her closer into his side. “Gen, please don’t leave my side tonight. I could not bear your absence. I know why you left. Let’s talk about this. Yes?” His stance was possessive but his eyes were soft and caring.

  She snorted, but didn’t tell him no. She wanted to cut him down with words, but it would serve no purpose in public. This was a private matter between the two of them. She wasn’t the type to put their private issues on display in public.

  “Treegold, how many times have you taken a female’s life’s blood to match?” Adam questioned. He didn’t look convinced of their match. She wanted to argue with Adam that this time was different. But couldn’t seem to find the words as both males looked each other in the eye.

  “It’s of little consequence. Gen and I are truly matched.” Xander’s voice lowered. “In every way.” There was menace in his words and the promise of retribution to anyone that challenged him.

  She could feel both males’ anger as it swirled around them. It was hot and tangible. She wasn’t sure exactly what was happening but she didn’t like it. Gently, she turned in Xander’s arm and placed her hand on his chest.

  “Xander, we will talk later, but for now, show me what Luna is like. This is my first time here, and as you said,” She lowered her hand and placed it inside the crook of his arm. “Readingand experiencing are two different things.” She wiped her cheek and smiled.

  Xander looked down at her and grinned. His blue eyes were dark with something she hadn’t seen before. The smile he gifted her with and the look in his eyes was enough for now. But later, they would discuss the situation back in the car. He bent and kissed her cheek and quietly dismissed Adam’s penetrating stare, taking her in the opposite direction.

  Gen looked over her shoulder and quickly thanked Adam for his kindness. “Thank you Adam for finding me in the crowd and assuring Xander could find me again.”

  Adam turned without giving her any words. So be it. It was for the best. It wasn’t like he’d been friendly toward her while at Academy. There was no reason he should start now.

  The night went by quickly. Everyone who stopped by to congratulate them on their match seemed very interested in Gen. Xander had whispered in her ear, the same thing he’d said to her on their first encounter. “Right now, you’re the new shiny credit.” He’d laughed and she’d smiled back at him. She couldn’t stay mad at him for long it seemed. He knew when to do something charming or make her smile. They continued to talk to citizens as they were approached, and Xander always made sure to touch her or kiss her. Letting her know he was right there with her. It reassured her that she wasn’t alone and she appreciated him all the more for it.

  There was a male standing in a group of other council members. He was taller than most and wore a deep red jacket. He’d looked over several times in their direction. Neither smiling nor nodding, just stared.

  “Genesis,” Xander said against her shoulder. “I want to introduce you to my sire.” He pointed in the direction of the group of males and her heart dropped. If it was the one that kept looking at the two of them, she was sure the meeting wouldn’t go as planned. He was the leader of the Genetics Council, and there were protocols that were to be followed. An introduction would have to be made before she could even address him. There were some citizens that rumored he had more influence than the Chancellor.

  “Don’t be nervous and don’t let my father get to you.” Xander commented lightly as he led her up to the group of males. He was the spitting image of his father. Platinum hair long and wrapped around his neck like Xander usually wore his. Tonight his hair was tied at the nape of his neck and loosely flowing down his back.

  “Sire… this is Genesis Blackmore.”

  “So it is.” His words were short.

  “Councilor Treegold,” Gen said and curtsied.

  “Your father hasn’t done well with keeping you in hiding. You’d think she was trained properly. I see you weren’t prepped for being in public. And as usual, my son would find a way to exploit you.” The other males in the group nodded their agreement.

  “You are quite the spectacle. I’ve heard many rumors of your appearance.”

  “Father.” Xander said in a low voice.

  “Xander, you should not have brought her to me in such a state.” Councilor Treegold spoke to Genesis directly. “Where is your collar Miss Blackmore? Am I to assume you have been brought to me so that I may taste you for myself?” His nostrils flared and his pupils were dilated as he perused her from head to toe. Xander pulled Gen to his side and presented his wrists.

  “We are matched, father.” Xander said extending his exposed wrists.

  “Yes, but for how long? The last one lasted, what… a few days?”

  Gen knew of his reputation. Even if he tried staying off the vid feeds, he was still notorious. But doubting him would mean she doubted their match. She wasn’t going to let the seed plant itself, only to grow and fester. Not in front of his father. Her issue with the hologram was small compared to anything else. She could even forgive him for that. Nothing was ever perfect. She herself knew that from the many books she’d read. Xander and Gen were not well into their relationship. They were still new to each other. Common sense told her that there would always be a rough patch, or a bridge to cross.

  “That’s true, but Gen is different.”

  “Clearly. Xander, I’m sure once you’re done ruining her, you’ll find another. I do understand the attraction.” Xander’s father reached out and smoothed a finger down Gen’s arm. “The patterns of her veins alone are seductive.” He stated excitedly.

  She pulled back and stood closer to Xander. The touch from his father made her shiver in revulsion. Xander wrapped an arm around her waist securing her to his side. He turned, squeezing her hip and left the circle of males his father had been conversing with. He didn’t say much, the tension was thick between them and settled like a hot blanket around them. It wasn’t until everyone had gathered in front of the stage that he spoke.

  “My father is an ass.”

  “He only speaks the truth.” Gen answered quietly.

  “He does not.”

  “How is that? Everything he said about you is true.” The seed was being watered and fear was spreading through her limbs. He could very well leave her, and then who did she have? No one.

  “That was then. I’m with you now and I don’t plan on leaving Gen, ever.”

  So the words meant something to him. She could see it clearly in his eyes. It wasn’t something they could get into now. Later they could discuss their situation in great depth. Project Harvest was about to commence to kick things off for Luna.

  “Your father is going to speak soon.”

  “I know, I can’t wait to see the updated prototype. H
e’s kept everything very hush for so long now.”

  It was going to set things right for all Pars. Her father had found a way to synthesize human blood. Humans, her father said, were a very distant relative to Pars. It was one of the many reasons he’d created her. Gen’s blood was pure and could provide the best DNA to get down to the basis of their genetic make-up. All twenty three pairs of her chromosomes were of the purest strain. Her father had insured there were a couple of deviations for authenticity, but ultimately Gen was a Par through and through. She was what her father had called the beginning. Her centromeres were stronger than most and it had been difficult for her father to break open the ends allowing him to extract her blue-print. Because of her, Pars had a chance.

  A large vid screen on the stage blinked to life and Chancellor Reynard appeared.

  “Greetings from across the pond. I’m terribly sorry I couldn’t make this Luna. I’ve been abroad talking with our southern brethren in regards to a cross cultural event come this new fall season.” Heads nodded in agreement and others talked among themselves as the Chancellor continued to speak. “As you all know our very own Dr. Vaggo Blackmore has been diligent in restoring us back to our natural state. I can say with true feeling he has done that today.”

  The roars and applause were loud and rattled the dome as the Chancellor relayed the news. She was anxious herself. Finally things would be set right. New Earth still had a long way to go, but Pars would once again be truly immortal. No more disease, no more deaths. It would truly be a day of days soon.

  “As we venture into this new phase of our life, there will be minor sacrifices.” The crowd hushed at the Chancellor’s statement and waited to hear his words. “There will be regulated births, as we grow stronger. The threat of over populating could be worrisome. As Project Harvest is still in its infancy. The new blood will be rationed and supplements and food will continue to be a necessity. Until we are producing the amount of blood needed these rules will be in effect.”

  No one said a word, not even Xander. His hand tightened on hers and she squeezed back. That could very well pose an issue.

  “I will let Dr. Vaggo take if from here, enjoy Luna citizens.” The screen went black and the crowd waited for Vaggo to speak. He strolled onto the stage with an opaque glass container. No one could see through the glass as Vaggo approached the podium. He looked over the crowd and when their eyes met, he frowned. Gen pulled the corners of her mouth up in a genuine smile. She wanted her father to know she was happy, that she’d found someone. Instead, he cut her with his eyes and addressed the crowd.

  “Citizens of New Earth, I have saved us all. We have suffered far too long, weakened by those who sought to take what was ours. New Earth is replenishing herself. We are starting to see the changes take root and grow. Now is our time to change. Today. Right now!”

  The voices of the dome reached a deafening crescendo when Vaggo announced the news. Gen herself was cheering with the rest of them. Xander, who was more composed than everyone else, stood there waiting. Vaggo pressed a remote control he’d removed from his pocket and the glass cleared. Inside was a female. Fully clothed. She didn’t move but Gen could tell she was different. Xander’s hand tightened on hers and she instinctively gripped him harder.

  The females back was to them and Vaggo tapped the glass, grabbing the female’s attention. When she turned, Gen gasped. Emotions so strong speared through her chest. The female was like her. Skin gold, but without the blue and gold veins. Her hair was shorn to the scalp. But one could tell it was dark, maybe a brown, possibly a black. Xander started to back them away and Gen didn’t want to move, she didn’t understand.

  “Citizens, I give you back human blood from the source!” He shouted in triumphant glee.

  There were shouts and applause from the crowds surrounding them. Her father coaxed the girl from her cage and then did something she’d never seen him do. He attacked her as if he was starved for blood. The female didn’t scream. Didn’t fight back. She submitted as if she’d been taught to except her fate. Gen watched in horror as blood sprayed like a fountain onto the stage. People in the front row began growling. The blood coated the floor in a thick red-black fluid. Xander’s nostrils flared and his breathing became harsh as the female’s blood scented the air.

  “We’re leaving now.” He growled.

  She didn’t argue. She was too confused at the carnage that took place up on stage. How could her father be so cruel? Xander weaved them in and around the crowd. They walked at a clipped pace until he got them safely out of the dome. She turned and saw her father’s shirt covered in blood as the female’s body lay jerking on the floor. Her body twitched as more blood spurted from her torn artery. Her father’s eyes snapped to hers and he smiled. His voice was loud as he said. “We will prevail! All will now be healed.” He sounded deranged, psychotic.

  Xander tugged her into the car before she had a chance to hear more. The female had looked so much like her. With very few exceptions. Gens eyes were ice blue surrounded by gold, where the female’s eyes were void of any color. It looked as if there was a thin veil of white covering what could have been color. Her bone structure was delicate and fragile. Her hair was shorn so close to her scalp and there was a surgical mark that was cut straight across the front of her forehead. How could her father do this? How could he think it was okay to act in such a manner?

  “What am I?” Gen whispered.

  “Gen focus.”

  “Why?” Her entire life was a sham. She was engineered by a monster, not a male who wanted to save his species. Vaggo had been barbaric in his display. That man on stage was not her father, he was something else. Something vile.

  “You’re human.”

  Somehow she knew his words were true. Felt it to the marrow of her bones. She was human. Possibly even the last of her kind. She’d seen pictures of humans and they looked nothing like her. No, she wasn’t human she was something more, something not Par, and not human. Genesis screamed. It conveyed everything she couldn’t say-her anger, her betrayal, and finally her despair. Anyone could tell she was different. It wouldn’t matter that she’d had fangs, or that she was bioengineered. They would think she was human by the tone of her skin, but what did they really know? Human came in all shapes, sizes and colors. Her DNA may have started her father’s research, but he hadn’t reached the desired outcome. Why did he even spare her? Why not treat her like the food source she was meant to be?

  Xander continued to drive, where she didn’t care.

  “This is so fucked up.”

  Xander turned and tried to hide a smile. “I like it when you talk dirty.”

  “This isn’t funny… this is serious Xander, really serious.” How could he smile at such a dire time? Her thoughts went back to her father’s lab, the breeding chambers and where the humans were being bred. There had to be a way to stop this madness. Something she could do to end what her father had started.

  “I know… I’m sorry, really Gen. We’ll get through this.” He was right. They would get through this and as she wrapped her brain around the situation, a plan was forming.

  “We have to help them.”

  “Help who?”

  “Those who are like me. There are others, just like her. I’ve seen them. Studied them. I thought they were brain dead. Clones like me. You heard the Chancellor.” They’d be rationed, like water; like so many other things that they were in short supply of. She would help the humans. My kind. But not my kind. What if she was the only one of her kind? She whispered to herself. Once she figured out how to go about her new plan. She would rescue every human her father had every created. She vowed it. This would stop, Even if she had to get the United Federated Council involved, all of it would stop. Project Harvest would be obsolete. The Genesis Project would be born.

  “Where are you taking us?” Gen asked.

  “Somewhere safe. Somewhere we can regroup and figure out the next plan of action.”

  “And where would that be
?”

  “The James’. Nim’s father is part of the underground rebellion.”

  “Underground rebellion?”

  Xander only nodded and continued to drive. She’d never heard of the underground rebellion.

  “Yes. The James’ head up a bunch of freedom fighters both comprised of Southerners and Northerners. Why else do you think Nim and his sister took to you? Their father was hoping you would match with his son in order to get the help of your father.”

  “Why my father.”

  “Well it was because of the blood, but I don’t think Nim’s father had this in mind Gen. Fuck!” Xander hit the wheel in anger.

  “Everything my father knows about blood and its properties, I know too. I can be of help, but not until we free the rest of the humans.”

  Xander’s head cut in Gens direction. There was desperation in his eyes and then he turned back to look at the road.

  “I’m sorry Gen. I’m sorry you had to see that back there. I knew what was coming, but had no idea it would be like this.”

  “What do you mean you knew?”

  “My father told me. Said that it wouldn’t work, we both thought it wouldn’t work. I’ve known since last night that you’re human. Or more human it would seem. I was selfish and I wanted you for myself. I still do Gen. I do have real feelings for you.”

  She couldn’t say anything. Wouldn’t. He’d used her. Used her naiveté against her. He knew she was inexperienced. Had no clue when it came to matters of the heart. But he’d used her.

  “You used me.”

  “Yes.”

  Wow. At least he admitted it.

  “So you felt nothing for me?”

  His eyes turned to her again and what she saw there made her turn away. Xander Treegold was a liar, and a good one at that. Even she’d been unable to tell the difference. This was one lesson she would have liked not to learn.

  His hands reached across the console to grip hers and Gen pulled her hand back quickly.

  “Don’t. Touch. Me.”

  “Gen, please let me explain.”

  The car came to stop and before she could think. She quickly exited the car. There was a jump station on the corner. She knew she barely had enough credits to get back to Academy. But it wasn’t the Academy she was jumping to. She quickly pushed her arm through the reader and then plugged in the destination. She stepped up to the ledge and turned in time to see ander running towards her, his arms outstretched to stop her. She took one last look at the male she thought was hers and jumped.