“Food production is 5.6% higher overall, with increases seen in all areas, most notably in that of… eh… wine.” This was met with several nods of approval.
The Keeper of Records droned on in this fashion for some time as the ups and downs of colony life were read out in numbers and percentages. When he finally finished the rest of the assembled council breathed a collective sigh of relief.
It was Luka Modric, Head of Operations, who spoke next, as was his right by rank. “So what is the current status of this… ISA crew member?”
“She is being kept under close guard at present while she undergoes a period of psychological readjustment,” replied Vanji.
“Is that wise? If word of her existence here gets out, then the betas may become more unsettled. They would find this revelation hard to absorb. If not handled delicately it has the potential to upset the colony.” Head of Harmony was concerned.
“It’s bad enough that Boateng escaped and made the trip. Now we are living with the consequences of that,” said Modric.
“Have we found out how Boateng got access to a functioning EVA suit?” The question was put to Daniel Kayden, Head of Hydro.
“Not yet, but rest assured, we will.”
“He had to have help from someone, and it must have been from an alpha,” Modric continued.
“Well that makes twenty people, if we include you in that,” said Kayden.
“Are you accusing me of having some part in this?”
Kayden raised a hand. “I’m saying you are also an original colonist, as all of us here are.”
Vanji leaned into the table. “His trip has proved fortuitous for us. If Boateng had not set out on his quest then the ISA crewmember would not have come to us. She is a biologist of some expertise, so a very useful addition to the colony.”
“Yes, but at what cost? What if they have seen it?” Modric pointed skyward. “A satellite may have picked up all this activity.”
“All the communication we have intercepted over the past few years indicates that Earth has given up on sending another mission here anytime soon. Even if they have seen something they can’t know what it is. It’s not going to prompt an invasion.” Kayden was hitting his stride.
“Her presence here is a clear danger to the social balance of the colony. The betas already have a strong creation myth developed around Colony One and that beehive hut. That’s why Boateng escaped, it’s this obsession they have, it grows stronger every sol. Therefore, for the good of the colony, I propose that she be recycled immediately.” Modric was adamant.
Vanji raised a hand. “Let’s not be so hasty, she could be very valuable to us. And may even help calm the betas.”
Modric was having none of this. “I propose a vote, a show of hands. All in favor of recycling the ISA crew member Dr. Jann Malbec?”
A few timid hands were raised. “Well that settles it,” said Vanji. “She stays.”
Buoyed by this besting of Modric, Vanji considered that now might be a good time to get consensus from the council for his latest creation. He nodded to his Head of Genetics. “Lori, if you will. Now would be a good time to make your presentation.”
Lori Bechard tapped some icons on his screen and a 3D rendering of a human rotated above the center of the table. “This is HYB-Q003.” He waited a beat to increase the drama. “She will be the first quad-donor hybrid ever created.” This was met with interest.
“More hybrids, Vanji? I thought it was agreed by the council that this line of genetic experimentation was to be phased out?”
“It was never agreed, Modric. At best it was advisory. The development of hybrid humans is the future, as I’ve argued many times around this table. We are bringing into being an entirely new race of humans. This is to be celebrated, not denied.” Vanji was standing now, one hand on the table, looking directly at Modric. “What’s more, the twenty or so hybrids we have in the colony are the best resource we have for keeping the betas from getting ideas beyond their station. In short, Modric, we need them.” He slapped the table and sat down.
Lori took this his cue to continue. “HYB-Q003 will be birthed within the next few days and represents a new pinnacle in our genetic cloning program. For the first time, we now have a hybrid clone that is biologically capable of reproduction.”
The council erupted.
“What? That is going too far, we cannot allow it.” Modric was apoplectic. The others added to his outrage with their own outbursts.
“This is madness.”
“Have you lost your mind Vanji?”
“I for one, am not comfortable with this,” said Harmony.
“This goes against everything we agreed on.”
Modric stood up and raised his hands to quiet them all down. “There is a simple way to settle this once and for all. I propose another vote. A vote to ban all experimentation with hybrid clones, forever. For the good of the colony. All in favor?”
Hands shot up, save for the geneticists and Daniel Kayden.
“Very good.” Modric turned to Vanji. “The Council have spoken. There will be no more of this line of experimentation. It is to cease immediately and this… hybrid will be recycled.” He sat down.
“You are making a grave mistake.” Vanji’s face was tight, his body taut, his anger barely contained. “You are throwing away the future evolution of the human race.”
“This is not our future, Vanji. Nor will it be. It has been decided. No more of this line of experimentation.” Modric waved a dismissive hand.
Vanji seethed. He had been defeated, his ambition thwarted. He had played his hand too soon, grossly miscalculated. He looked around the table at the assembled councilors. They were fools, simpletons with no vision. But now he knew who was on his side.
9
Intrigue
Along one section of the upper gallery of the vast main cavern, a common rest and recreation area had been created over time, for alphas only. It was their exclusive domain and no clones could enter, unless of course, they were on the serving staff. It was long, with a low wall running along the edge like a balcony. Above this wall ran a window that afforded those who had sufficient rank to gaze down across the lush vegetation and busy industry of Colony Two. It was one-way, Alphas could see out, but nobody could see in.
When Kayden entered, he noticed that Modric was already there, sitting at one of the far tables facing the window, in a quiet and secluded spot. He played with a drink and looked to be deep in thought. He had asked to meet Kayden here, to discuss things, as he put it. Modric’s way of finding out which side he was on, he presumed.
“Modric.”
“Kayden, come, sit.” He waved a hand at the seat closet to him. Kayden sat. “Drink?” he lifted his glass. “Sol 11,345, an excellent vintage, I would highly recommend it.”
Kayden nodded and a glass was poured. Modric raised his own to him. “I would suggest ‘to your good health’ but that would seem a little self-serving.”
“Indeed,” replied Kayden, as he took a sip of the fragrant Colony wine. “That was a brave challenge you made, back at the council meeting.”
“Perhaps you think it foolhardy? To overrule Vanji like that?”
“The thought had crossed my mind.”
“Maybe I grow old. Maybe I tire of this place and this… existence.” He looked back at Kayden. “Does it not feel strange to you, that your mind is that of a forty year old but the face staring back at you in the mirror is only twenty-five?”
“Far from it, Modric. I’m constantly amazed at what we have achieved here. Perhaps it’s really something else that bothers you?”
Modric looked into his glass for a moment, then looked over his shoulder before leaning in closer to Kayden. “I feel we are living on borrowed time. I sense the betas grow more agitated with each passing sol. It’s like we’re sitting on a powder keg. Look at us, look around you. We live the exalted life as top dogs in the colony hierarchy. Yet we are few. Every time Genetics births a new beta we beco
me more of a minority. And the history of societies ruled by minority elites never ends well.”
“Ha, you’re being paranoid.” Kayden laughed and quaffed his wine, refilling his glass from the bottle on the table between them.
“Maybe. But you know this creation myth that the betas have developed around Colony One is getting very strong.”
“Yes, I’ve heard rumors. Is it really true?”
“It gets more ingrained with them every sol.” He sat back. “It’s because of their dreams. Strange, don’t you think, that they should all have the memories of the alpha they were cloned from? Growing more lucid as they age.”
“Yes, but that’s what makes them so useful. Without these dreams they would know nothing, they would have to learn like children. It would take years before they are productive.”
“Well it’s a double edged sword, one I hope we don’t all fall on.”
They stayed silent for a moment and gazed down across the vast cavern. Betas were working away, planting, harvesting and maintaining the lush garden.
“It’s the reason Boateng escaped and tried to journey to Colony One. It’s this… desire that is awakening within them. It grows stronger and stronger.”
Kayden considered this, but stayed silent. Modric continued, “Look, it was bad enough that he got out. But now, the last ISA crewmember shows up at our door.” He pointed skyward. “They must have seen all this activity. Earth must suspect something by now, assuming they still have a working satellite up in orbit. We cannot remain hidden much longer.”
“I’ll grant you that, Modric. This is a concern.”
“We are entering uncertain times. This ISA woman is nothing but bad news. Why did Vanji allow it?”
“I don’t know. He sees something in her. She’s a biologist, apparently.”
“Her presence only serves to undermine the harmony we have maintained with the betas. She’s from Colony One, to them she is a God, don’t you see?”
They went quiet again. Each sipping wine, each deep in thought. After a few moments Modric refilled their glasses and sat forward.
“We have all toiled under the shared belief that we cannot let Earth have this technology: genetic manipulation, longevity, the ability to clone humans. The population would explode and ultimately destroy what’s left of the planet.”
“If they find out we’re here they will come. They will simply take it; we are still not strong enough to stop them. You know this, Modric.”
“If we are not strong enough now, then when? Do we need a population of three hundred, or five hundred, or what?” There is no clear plan that I can see. Meanwhile we can’t venture out, we can’t utilize the resources that we know exist in Colony One, nor can we receive supplies from Earth, even trade with them. In the meantime, we are fracturing. There are essential parts we simply cannot manufacture here. What happens when one of these fails, we all die? What good is the secret of eternal youth if we’re dead?”
“You’re being overly dramatic. We have power, heat, water and food a plenty.”
“A society needs more than that to keep harmony, you know that as well as I do.”
“We live in dangerous times, make no mistake.”
“Indeed.”
Modric looked around to check if they were alone and leaned in again. “Here’s what I propose. We kill her. Before she has a chance to infect the minds of the betas. Do it now, while her presence here is still under wraps.”
Kayden looked at Modric and took another sip from his glass as a way of giving himself time to think before replying. He placed the glass back down the table with a slow precise movement. “How do you propose we do this?”
“That, I don’t know. I thought you might be able to offer a possible course of action. Seeing as Vanji looks to you as an ally. You would be least suspected.”
“No one could know of this, or we’ll be the ones being recycled.”
“I fear if we don’t, then our days here as leaders are numbered.”
Kayden stood up and leaned in to put a hand on Modric’s shoulder as he spoke. “Let me sleep on it. That’s all I can do for now.”
“Don’t sleep too long, or we may miss our opportunity.”
10
Hydro
In the sols following Jann’s experience in the birthing rooms, she gained a little more freedom, or at least the sense of it. This was limited to short sessions in the bio-labs with the genetics team. She met few colonists save for Vanji, the two guards, and the woman who brought her food. Yet she learned a lot, not just about the complexities of human cloning but also the social hierarchy of the colony. The technology underlying this human outpost might be at the pinnacle of human achievement, but the social structure was medieval.
Alphas ruled. The twenty or so original colonists who had survived all that Mars had thrown at them formed the bulk of the council. They controlled everything. The workers were the betas, the clones. They were created from the seeds, as they were known. These turned out to be the Analogues that Jann and the original ISA crew had found in Colony One. No alpha living in Colony Two had been cloned, so the betas were the reincarnation of all those who had died. And there were multiples of each. So far Jann had only met one, the woman who brought food to her room. She was Caucasian, young, and carried herself with a submissive deference, reminding Jann more of the polite manners of a Geisha, never looking her directly in the eye.
But like any technology, it never stood still and Vanji and his team had progressed to creating hybrids. This was more than just cloning, this was human genetic engineering taken to a whole new level. They had effectively created a new species, Homo Ares, Ares being the Greek god of Mars. The two guards were hybrids. Tall, strong, elegant—and silent. They never spoke, but Jann began to notice that, at times, they would look intently at each other, as if they were communicating. They would subtly nod or shake their heads along with almost imperceptible facial twitches. It was eerie to witness, and not a little unsettling.
At the top of this hierarchy was the imperial master, Vanji. He was like an Emperor, feared and worshiped in equal measure. He bestowed the gift of life and possessed the power to take it away with nothing more than a simple edict, a click of his fingers, so to speak. Most of the alphas feared Vanji and the betas feared the alphas. As for the hybrids, they seemed to be oblivious to everything. At least, that’s how Jann perceived it.
After a few more sols of obedience they rewarded her with a window. Still confined to her room save for the odd excursion to the bio-labs, it was a blessing. It was something to break the boredom, and the increasing feeling of being trapped that was fermenting inside her. She had taken to pacing the room, bisecting it in a steady rhythm like the caged animal that she was. It was during one of these pacing sessions that the long smooth wall behind the desk became transparent. She stopped her pacing, crept forward and looked out. The entire vista of the main cavern was laid out below her, vast, verdant and industrious. She spent many hours just observing, following the patterns and rituals of the betas that toiled there. But in the end, all this anthropological study brought her no closer to escape. In fact, she feared she would somehow grow complacent, more accepting, and lose her desire for freedom, maybe even her will to live.
Eventually, on or around the tenth sol of her captivity, a new face entered her room. It was Daniel Kayden, one of the councilors. Behind him stood the same two guards. He smiled as he entered and reached to shake her hand. “Some good news for you, Dr. Malbec. We are paying a visit to a very special place this sol.”
“Good, let’s go, this room is making me demented. When am I getting out of here?”
“I don’t know, that hasn’t been decided yet.”
“Why the hell not?”
“Look, please be patient, it’s just politics.” He opened his hands and shrugged his shoulders. “Come, follow me, we can talk as we walk.”
Jann quelled her frustration. At least she was getting out for a while, why jeopardize
it? They walked side by side in silence, the two guards following in step behind. Jann glanced back at them, their faces were a complete blank.
“Are they hybrids?” she jerked a thumb over her shoulder.
“Yes.”
“They don’t say much, do they?”
“No, none of them do.”
“Are they engineered that way?”
“I’m sorry, I don’t know. I’m not one of the geneticists.”
“So, what’s your story then?”
“I’m a geologist, Head of the Hydro sector.”
“Water?”
“Yes, H2O, and I’m taking you to see some.”
“Water?”
“Ah,” he smiled. “Yes, water, but not like anything you’ve seen before.”
They stepped into the elevator and descended. It felt to Jann that they were going lower than before, lower than the bio-labs. It was also getting noticeably warmer.
The doors opened into a short corridor that led into a pumping station. The sound of engines reverberated around the room. It was loud and mechanical. Large industrial pipes and ducts crisscrossed the space. At the far end was a control board with three betas monitoring the systems. At least Jann assumed they were betas.
“It’s very warm in here.”
“Yes, we are deep down, close to the aero-thermal engines. It gets even hotter the farther down you go.”
“Well I hate to break it to you, but this is not very interesting.”
Kayden turned to her and smiled. “Ah, just wait, you’ll see.”
As they moved past the control station, the three betas straightened and turned to her. She could have been mistaken but it looked to her like they all bowed.
“Are they doing that for you or me?”
“Both. But they do seem fascinated by you. It’s the first time they’ve seen an outsider. You’re something of a celebrity to them.”
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