by T. R. Harris
“Okay, we’ll go see Panur, but on one condition.”
“That I relinquish control to Summer if he will not help.”
“That’s it. Take it or leave it. I know what Summer is going through. She would just as soon die than let you stay in control of her body. And believe me when I say this: I’ll destroy Summer’s body rather than let you stay in control of it.”
J’nae was a superbeing, possessed of exceptional strength, durability and fighting skills. Adam knew it would be virtually impossible to kill her, even if he tried. But she accepted his bombast, nonetheless.
“Do not tell the others who I am,” J’nae pleaded. “We will find an excuse to go to Panur together. I will need you to get past the security surrounding my Creator. For now, I will maintain my cover. Here come the others. There is much to discuss concerning the affairs of the day.”
Chapter 16
“Over forty dead and thirteen starships either destroyed or damaged.” Dal Divisen’s normally dark complexion was a couple of shades deeper. It was two days since the disaster at the spaceport, and only now an accurate accounting was coming through. “It is crucial that I maintain a steady flow of commerce for my interests. This event—along with the theft at the bank—will cause some to take pause.”
It was impossible to tell how many businesses Dal had his hands in, but he was boiling over with anger in the wake of the disaster. He’d been going on about how much this was costing him while half the spaceport was shut down and the chaos being sorted out. The other people at the meeting let him vent before Sherri Valentine finally grew tired and shut him down.
“Enough, Dal! A lot of crap has come down here recently. It’s not all about you.” As the President of the Cyneth, she had authority over the planet as well as the Zone. And with the support she got from both the Expansion and Union, Sherri had almost dictatorial power. The Empires didn’t want to deal with the turmoil of the Zone, so they allowed her a free hand to deal with trouble as she saw fit. Most of the time, she was calm and even-handed. At others, she let those around her know who was the boss, including Dal Divisen … and even Adam.
The meeting taking place was an ad hoc affair, arranged at the government complex north of the spaceport, attended by Sherri, Dal Divisen, Brigadier General Todd Oakes, Adam, Riyad, along with the three bounty hunters. The Juirean Overlord Andon Fe Rolsin was there as well, having revealed the truth about the bank robberies to those who didn’t already know. It was an exclusive group; they would keep the secret.
“We tracked a couple of dozen ships leaving the system,” General Oakes said. After the Enforcers took over Camp Forrester, Oakes went on to run the small Human garrison on the planet, as well as serving on the Governing Council, representing Earth’s interests, along with Ambassador Jeanne Euker. Adam relied on the general for his vast military experience and sage advice, especially in times of crisis. “The ships are of all makes and models, and they entered deep gravity-wells the moment they could. It’ll take time to follow up with them. But most are lost in the ether. I think it’s a safe bet Mike Hannon has escaped again.”
“That is a concern,” said Overlord Andon. “But since the equipment he was using to commit the thefts has been destroyed, can we safely assume this threat is over?”
Adam shook his head. “I wouldn’t. Hannon is a trained covert operative. When he commits to a mission, he will plan for disruptions but will never give up until all options have been exhausted. He’s changed starships in the past, and he still has his Gracilian scientists, and together they have millions of Juirean credits. I’m afraid this is just a blip on the radar. This isn’t over yet.”
“But it should give us time to prepare,” Andon said. “I have been informed that an effective counterforce is available that can prevent teleportation events. Will we have access to such technology so we may protect our facilities against such attacks?”
“The mutants are the only ones I know of who know how to build Lerpiniere fields,” Adam said. “After the meeting, I’ll go see them and work up a game plan. It shouldn’t be a problem.”
“I’ll go with you,” Summer announced unexpectedly.
“You will?” Monty asked. “Why? We need to be looking for Hannon.”
“We will. But I haven’t seen Panur and Lila for a while. Can’t I say hi to my old friends?”
Monty recoiled. “Of course. I just didn’t know you were such good friends, that’s all.”
Adam suspected Monty knew, if not about J’nae’s full takeover of Summer’s body, then the possibility that she was giving Summer trouble. Panur was the authority on all things J’nae. From his expression, Adam knew Monty wasn’t falling for the friends bullshit.
“Don’t take too long,” Monty said. “We have to get back into space. Hannon’s no longer on Navarus, and until we find him, we don’t have squat for a bounty.”
As the meeting broke up, Sherri huddled with Adam. He didn’t see her much these days since both led active lives heading in different directions.
“Been a crazy couple of days, hasn’t it?”
“You could say that. I’m exhausted.”
“And still you’re going out to see Panur … with Summer. Is there something you’re not telling me?”
Adam smirked. Sherri knew him too well to fall for his bullshit.
“Yeah, we have a problem with Summer.”
“That’s what I thought. Do you think Panur can help?”
“J’nae seems to think so.”
Sherri winced. “I hate that name. It brings back such terrible memories. Be careful. Remember, that’s not Summer over there. That’s an evil immortal witch who was created to lord over a species. Keep your guard up.”
Adam sighed. “Don’t worry. If she wanted to hurt me she could have done it by now.”
Chapter 17
The drive to the Enforcer base was made in awkward silence. There’s not much to talk about between a Human and an immortal superbeing occupying the body of a slender, five-foot-tall, twenty-four-year-old. Small talk wasn’t in the cards.
Adam’s face got him cleared through the security checkpoints without delay and soon he and Summer entered the domain of the two most powerful beings in the galaxy.
Lila saw Summer first and instinctively recognized her for what she was.
“You have control; how did that happen?” Lila asked.
“I was freed during a medical emergency,” J’nae replied. “I have not come here for trouble. I wish to speak with Panur.”
The mutant appeared from a side room. He came in his standard form: the four-and-a-half-foot-tall grey body that was created for him by the Eternal Queen of the Sol-Kor five thousand years before. Adam knew Panur had a supply of the master bodies, like some people had a closet full of suits. He noticed Adam’s amused expression.
“With the events taking place regarding teleportation and quantum entanglement, I thought it best to be prepared. As you know, I have more versatility in this form, able to shapeshift, among other things.” He looked at Summer. “Welcome back, my creation. I’m surprised to see you.”
Although the immortals had their differences in the past, there was still a bond between them. Six hundred years before, Panur created the creature known as J’nae as a replacement for the Eternal Queen of the bee-like hive of beings called the Sol-Kor. The Queen was the sole creator of life in the colony, and Panur saw that as a liability, fearful that something might happen to her before a viable replacement could be produced. His plan was to convert the Sol-Kor to a more conventional breeding society, with genders for reproduction. He created J’nae for that purpose. She could give birth to both males and females, starting the chain that would change the Sol-Kor race forever.
The strange fact was that in the Sol-Kor universe, a new Queen J’nae was doing just that. That J’nae was another version of the creature existing inside Summer. A third version survived in the Mad Aris Kracion, who was now forever tasked with the monitoring and repair of tea
rs in the space/time continuum. That was the price he had to pay to remain immortal. The truth was, the essence of J’nae had been spread among many creatures, giving them either immortality or special powers. There was no longer a single J’nae, but many. And each had their own consciousness and sense of morality.
“Why are you here, J’nae?” Panur asked. “If you’re here to plead for your extraction again, it will not work. I will not sacrifice Summer for you.”
“I have complete control of the body; at present, there is no Summer Rains.”
“You know I can change that. I can put you back in the bottle, to use a trite, yet appropriate, Human phrase.”
“You can, and if you do not agree to what I propose, I have promised Adam Cain that I will submit willingly.”
Panur cocked his head, finding J’nae’s contrition out of character. “What is this proposal of yours?”
“I accept that you have the ability to summon forth the creature Te’moc from within your being, using that entity to enter Summer’s body and absorb all my essence, which would later be placed into another body, if you so choose. I understand that process is traumatic and that the Human body would not survive.” She turned to Adam. “However, Adam Cain has undergone such a transformation, yet still he survives. I know why that is. It is because at one time you merged your mind with his, giving his Human body added strength and endurance.”
Adam knew that wasn’t a secret, although he couldn’t remember from where J’nae learned it.
“That is true,” Panur said. “It was during a time I scanned his brain for memories regarding the taking of Lila by the Aris. However, the lasting transfer of my brain cells to his body was inadvertent. They were subsequently recovered. What was unexpected was that Adam’s body learned to perform at a higher level from its brief interaction with my cells. The residual effects are still present to this day.”
“Your influence on Adam’s body came about from your uniqueness,” J’nae pointed out. “My essence can be present in a variety of bodies, and during which I can transfer some of my abilities. However, I cannot alter the genetic makeup of the host as you can. You made Adam strong enough to withstand the transfer process. I wish you to do the same for Summer Rains.”
“That will not be allowed!” Lila said, stepping up to J’nae. “There were serious side-effects to the procedure.”
J’nae frowned. “What were they?”
“Panur has survived as long as he has because his body never changes. All he was born with he still has. When even a small fraction of his body was left inside my father, Panur became diminished, and it began a progressive deterioration of his condition. At that point, he was no longer immortal, and if his cells had not been recovered, Panur would have died.”
J’nae’s mouth hung slack, her eyes wide. “I was not aware of this. I see him now, and I detect no issues. Retrieving the cells revived him, with no lasting effects?”
“That does not matter. The risk of such a procedure is too risky to do it again. I will not allow it.”
Adam saw J’nae’s shoulders slump. Everything was riding on this one last effort to free herself from Summer’s body. The procedure worked before; Adam was proof of that. She’d been counting on it working for her, as well. She also knew going up against Lila was a losing proposition.
J’nae turned to Adam. “Then, there is no hope. My destiny is to live out my existence in this body until it dies and decays as do all living organisms. I shudder at the thought of what will become of my existence after that. I will survive, but in what form? I can imagine my fate being worse than death. Now, I made a promise …”
J’nae’s demeanor changed suddenly, from the emotionless expression of a superbeing to that of a scared and confused Human female.
“I’m back! She gave up control. I can’t believe it.” Tears welled up in Summer’s blue eyes as she stepped up to Adam and threw her arms around his neck. “Thank you. I never thought I’d be able to see through my own eyes again. You can’t imagine how horrible it is to be trapped inside your own body.”
Summer was the only one happy with the situation. A dull pall hung in the room. That was why it came as such a shock when she stepped up to Panur and asked, “Will you do it?”
Panur was taken aback. “Do what?”
“Will you at least try to help J’nae? I heard everything that was said. I understand it can be dangerous, but if you know what’s going to happen, you can be prepared. I take it the last time you did one of these mind melds what happened afterward came as a surprise.”
“That it did.”
Summer said to Lila. “If I’m right, this breakdown in Panur happened over time and not all at once.”
“That is correct. It was gradual.”
“Well then, just make sure you get all the brain cells out of me the first time, and there will be no problem.”
Panur shook his head. “It is more complicated than you think. Adam retained a few of my cells for quite some time. The abilities he acquired did not happen instantly. The cells would have to stay in long enough for your body to learn from them.”
“During which time Panur will be suffering, deteriorating,” Lila said. Her usually calm demeanor was more emotional than Adam could remember. The thought of watching Panur’s cognitive abilities slowly fade away was more than she could bear. “I will not allow it. J’nae has given control back to you. That should suffice.”
Summer looked at Panur, pleading with her eyes. “Over the years, J’nae and I spent a lot of time talking before she retreated to a corner of my subconscious. I knew she could force herself to the surface if she wanted, but after a while, she gave up, letting me live my life as if I were normal. Then when I was injured, she stepped forward and helped my body heal. She saved my life.”
“It was both of your lives she saved, not just yours,” Lila pointed out.
“Either way, I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for her. I know J’nae didn’t ask to be put in my body.” Adam shuffled nervously in place. He was responsible for that. “But I know she wants to be as free of me as I want to be free of her. How long would the cells have to remain in my body to make a difference?”
Adam could see the intensity in Panur’s eyes. He was way ahead of her. “In the first procedure, only a few stray cells were left inadvertently. However, if we plant a significant amount inside you, the effects would be manifested much faster.”
“As will your decline!” Lila exclaimed.
“It would only be thirty days, maybe less. We could closely monitor my condition, as well as the impact the cells are having on Summer. If my condition worsens beyond a point, we can always do the reverse procedure sooner. In fact, it may turn out that multiple procedures will have to be done, a little at a time. What do we have to lose? My body fully recovered the first time. And if this works, then I will extract J’nae and place her in one of my master bodies. They was designed for beings such as her. And Summer will be Summer again.”
“Panur, no!” Lila said.
“Please, you will be in control of the timing. You will have the final say when the cells are recovered. And unlike before, we’ll know what to expect. I’m willing. But you will have to be, as well. Trust me; I do not want to lose the life I have, along with all the life to come … with you.”
Adam had never seen Lila so mad. He took a step away, feeling guilty at having brought J’nae to the facility. But if he’d known what was going to happen, would he have come anyway? Probably. The thought didn’t make him feel any better.
But Lila’s attention wasn’t on him. She was glaring at Panur, her lips pressed into a thin line, the muscles in her neck pulsating, stimulated by a heart that beat for appearances only.
“Why do you torment me so?” she asked. “You know I will agree; it is what you want, and in the end, it is the right thing to do. But I worry about you.”
“I’m worried, too, but I have confidence because I know you will be watching after me.”
> “Have you calculated the amount of material to be transferred?”
Panur smiled. “I know the amount; however, the variable will be the time it takes Summer’s body to adapt. That is an uncertainty we will have to accept. But as mentioned, thirty days should be long enough. Surely that is something I can spare. There is nothing crucial on the agenda, and besides, I won’t be incapacitated the entire time, just a little slower than normal.”
Panur held out his hands to Lila. “So, we’re going to do this?”
“Yes.”
“When?” Summer asked anxiously.
Panur turned to her and grinned. “No time like the present. If I recall, we will both sleep for a few hours afterward. What better time than at night. It is night, isn’t it, Adam? I lose track of time down here in the laboratory.”
“It’s actually around noon,” Adam said.
“It doesn’t matter. And you, young Summer Rains, you must be prepared to stay with us for the duration. We must let Lila monitor you closely. I insist, for her peace of mind, as well as mine. Are we agreed?”
“Hell, yeah! Let’s get this party started.”
Chapter 18
Four days after leaving Navarus—and two after dropping the crew of the small cargo hauler on a planet with CW comms—Mike and the Gracilians reached their asteroid hideaway where the three backup starships—along with over eight hundred million in Juirean credits—were kept. They picked one of the vessels for their new flagship and set about prepping the other two for service. Each would require a crew of four. Vodenik and Kovach preferred Gracilians, which would be hard to come by. Most were on Gracilia and locked down until a suitable punishment could be determined for the natives.
