The X-Variant (The Guardians Book 1)

by Rosemary Cole

  “Well, if she’s crazy, that’s a damn good story,” Jennie said.

  “So wait a second,” Brandon said. “You’re from the future, and you’ve got a a creature inside you that evolved from SHAV? Wow, that is nuts.”

  “What year are you from in the future?” Jennie asked.

  Kala realized that they didn’t quite believe her, but she answered patiently. “I am from Chandika, which you call San Diego, in the year 2616. And it is not a creature living inside me, so much as a collection of virionic cells working together as one entity. It has a sort of hive mentality, you might say. It can go anywhere in my body that is needed. Like this.”

  Kala picked up a shard of broken glass, fallen long ago from one of the skylights in the ceiling, and drove its sharp point into her forearm. Blood welled up.

  Jennie squeaked and Brandon half-rose until Kala held the arm out for them to see, then he sank back down again. The blood had already stopped flowing and was coagulating at the wound; after another minute or so, the skin was smooth and clean. Even the leaked blood was gone.

  “Holy shit,” Brandon breathed. They sat staring dumbly at her.

  Kala stood up. “Come, it is time to leave.”

  “Wait, wait, wait,” Brandon said. “Just a few more questions, okay? These others you mentioned at the safe place, are they—uh—Anatha too? Like you?”

  “Unathi,” Kala said. “Yes. We have come to help some of you survive.”

  “Why?” Jennie asked. “And which ones?”

  Very shrewd, this one, Kala thought. She didn’t answer right away, and Brandon broke in.

  “But what about these drones? You said the symbiont makes them—how? Where are they? I haven’t seen any drones.”

  “They are smaller than mosquitoes. You can spot them if you know what to look for. They are tiny, flying”—she paused as if searching for a word—“biomechatronic entities. Part organic, part machine. They serve as a sensing and information network. They allow us to communicate with each other over distance.”

  Jennie said, “Like linking computers,” and Kala nodded.

  “I don’t know,” Brandon said, shaking his head. “How could something like that evolve from SHAV?”

  Like every Unathi, Kala had studied this subject in her teens. The original synthetic virus created by human scientists was meant to find and destroy cancer cells in the body, until it was twisted into a weapon. When it was released, it had replicated in the usual way, taking over the host’s cells and then destroying those cells and eventually the host along with them.

  After the pandemic, the virus’s continued existence depended upon the survival of its few remaining human hosts, and evolutionary pressure came to bear. Viruses evolve quickly; the epsilon strain in the few surviving humans changed, returning to its original mandate to heal. It began conditioning cells instead of destroying them, keeping the host’s health at optimum. In this way, both host and symbiont were able to hang onto life. While sending out particles of itself to find other hosts, the symbiont discovered how to bring microscopic amounts of materials back to itself from the environment, and used them to create tiny drones, part biological and part mechanical. The drones of different hosts began a limited form of communication with each other and a hive mentality developed, able to transfer and store virtual information.

  Kala pondered how to explain all of this to Brandon, but was saved from the effort by Jennie’s curiosity.

  “If the symbiont makes the drones in your body, how do they get out?” the girl asked, a look of morbid fascination creeping over her face.

  “They are released through special pores in the skin. We cannot not feel them.” She stood up. “Enough questions for now. We need to get to the Guardian refuge, where it is safe.”

  “That’s what you call yourselves?” Jennie asked. “Guardians?”

  Kala nodded. Actually, only the agents who stayed with the betas and looked after them were called that, but she wasn’t going to explain that right now. She turned away, signaling the end of the discussion.

  Brandon and Jennie got up and began packing their things in the rucksack, murmuring to each other in low voices. If she chose to, she could have eavesdropped, but she let them have their privacy.

  When they were ready, she lowered the two humans down through the hole and then swung down herself, carrying the baby in one arm.

  “You will not have to walk the rest of the way,” she said as she handed the baby to Jennie. “I have sent for transportation for us.”

  The sun was up, but not above the buildings yet. The ever-present breeze ruffled their hair as they walked out to the street through the open gates of the warehouse compound. A moment later, the Jeep pulled up, with Antar driving. Kala got the humans settled in the back and then jumped in front. Antar set off for the refuge, taking the usual circuitous route to avoid groups of humans, Ghal, and/or the authorities.

  “Three more betas—excellent work,” he said to Kala in Unathi as he drove. “Their numbers are growing really fast now. We’re going to have to start building some temporary shelters for them and get them started on a food garden. Although we might have to move the refuge first.”

  “Move?” Kala asked.

  “Yes. We’re starting to realize we can’t stay in the city indefinitely. More and more of the humans are dying, and it’s creating a health hazard.”

  As if to illustrate his point, he slowed the vehicle to maneuver around a small pile of corpses lying on the road, where someone must have dumped them to get them out of their building.

  “We’ve got rats, we’ve got the terrible smell. Also, there are bound to be some fires and industrial accidents as people abandon their posts. The whole city could burn down.”

  Kala nodded. She hadn’t thought about any of that.

  “What happened to that horde of Ghal last night?” she asked.

  “Oh, they made their way across to the Golden Gate area and then split up. Some of them crossed the bridge, others wandered up or down the coast. We still don’t know what makes them migrate like that.”

  They arrived at the refuge and drove through the gates. Kala received a hail of welcoming messages from the agents before the Jeep even made it into the parking area around back.

  Welcome home, sweetness, came from Crisfer. Glad you’re back in one piece.

  I told you I wouldn’t want to put you out, she replied. Maybe his sense of humor was back, after all. How’s Liet?

  She’s doing a little better, but she’s still not herself. Come and see us as soon as you can, okay?

  Kala assured him she would and then escorted her charges to the beta wing, requesting food and medical care for them over the Dronet. The baby would receive injections of nutrients critical for her proper development.

  At the entrance to the beta wing, she pulled the two humans aside. “Please do not discuss with the other humans here any of the things I told you,” she murmured. “I am not sure if any of them know, and perhaps it is best if they never find out.”

  “Sure, okay,” Brandon replied.

  Jennie nodded. “We won’t say a word. They wouldn’t believe us anyway; probably think we were nuts.”

  “I’m sensing we’re about to part ways,” Brandon said. “When will we see you again?”

  “I will be here any time you need me,” she replied. “Just ask any of the Guardians. Please do not worry, you will be well cared for.”

  He nodded. “Thanks again, Kala,” he said, his eyes welling up. “I really mean that.”

  She smiled, patted his arm and left, passing some agents who were bringing food, clothing and medicine to the beta wing. Kala nodded at them but didn’t stop to talk, moving briskly down the hallway as if she had urgent business elsewhere. Her stomach was in knots.

  Antar had assumed Jennie and her baby were betas; so might the other agents. Why wouldn’t they? No one would expect her to bring epsilons here. Still, it could easily occur to someone to check them with their drones.
If it were discovered that they were epsilons, mother and child would be terminated immediately. Her heart twisted at the thought. Those agents going in to treat the three—would they draw blood and find out that two of them were epsilons?

  Don’t worry, dear one, Araka said. The agents will only check their hydration levels, vitamin stores, and basic health indicators. They look a bit malnourished but reasonably healthy, and none of them have any symptoms. Most likely they’ll be given nutrients and it will be left at that.

  Kala gave him a mental nod and relaxed a little, slowing her pace as she rounded a corner. She thought for a moment and then released a few of her drones, sending them back to hover near Jennie and her baby. Araka’s reassurances were well and good, but if anyone else’s drones approached the humans, Kala would be the first to know it.

  She resumed walking and thinking, heading back to the quarters she shared with her bondmates. Crisfer was waiting for her when she came through the door and she went straight into his arms, but something was off. He felt a little reserved.

  She pulled back and looked into his face; his violet eyes seemed distant. “Crisfer, are you okay?”

  “Of course; why wouldn’t I be? And how are you, sweetness? You seem worried.”

  “I’m fine,” she said. “I only meant to go for a walk last night—couldn’t sleep with the humans moaning like that. But it turned into a bit of an adventure. I brought back some betas.” The lie was out before she had even thought about it. It felt strange; she had never lied to anyone before.

  “Yeah, I heard. Good for you,” he said. “Did you kill any epsilons?”

  “Yes, I did,” she said, and left it at that.

  “There, now, I said you’d get used to it, didn’t I?” He sounded proud of her, as if she’d finally reached a lofty goal.

  Kala tried to ignore the unpleasant feeling roiling in her gut.

  Rami, who had sat up in bed, said, “Well done, Kala!”

  She smiled at him and walked over to where Liet sat on the edge of the bed, her face expressionless.

  “How’s my girl?” Kala asked, sitting down and putting an arm around her. “Feeling better?”

  Liet nodded. “I’m all right. Don’t worry about me.”

  But she didn’t seem all right to Kala. Not at all.

  Chapter 14

  SanFran Guardian Refuge

  June 2079

  THE NEXT MORNING AFTER breakfast, Kala sat in the dining room and attuned to the Dronet to pick up the latest news. Liet was receiving therapy and Crisfer and Rami had gone off on a work assignment. Kala noted with a surge of dismay that her name was on the roster for a beta expedition tomorrow. She immediately connected with Adira and some other older agents who were taking most of the responsibility for organizing things.

  I’d like to request duty on the beta wing, she told them. Are there any Guardians who would like a change of pace? Maybe one of them could go on the expedition tomorrow in my place.

  Just a second, I’ll check, Adira replied.

  Why do you prefer to be on duty here? another agent asked.

  I find myself very curious about the humans, Kala said, her heart thumping a little at having to tell a semi-truth. I’d like an opportunity to see them up close, get to know them. They seem fascinating.

  He chuckled. Yes, I hear that a lot. Which is why the Guardian roster seems to be constantly changing. I would prefer to keep it more constant, for the sake of the betas’ nerves. Can you stay on this detail for some time?

  Yes, absolutely, Kala said, relieved.

  You’ll also be expected to help in the kitchens or elsewhere on the compound when you’re not with the humans.

  That’s fine.

  Charis came back to the conversation. Okay, Paran says she will be happy to exchange duties. She’s tired of being indoors and wants to go on an expedition.

  Great. Thanks for your help.

  You’re very welcome, Kala.

  Life as a Guardian at the refuge was very different from what Kala had experienced in her first days here. She was grateful that she was no longer expected to go on expeditions for the time being. She’d probably have to do it again eventually, but she tried not to think about that.

  In the meantime, she found the humans very interesting. She talked with them a lot, and her accent improved. Brandon tried to get her to use slang and contractions, but she always ended up reverting to the more formal syntax that had been uploaded to her symbiont.

  The beta human population was growing very rapidly with the ongoing expeditions, and everyone was busy erecting wood-floored tents on the grounds, to house the overflow from the main building.

  Kala began teaching the humans how to farm even though a move was being planned, thinking it would be best for them to start learning now. Aside from Brandon and Jennie, who had lived on a city farm commune, the humans knew nothing about it. In Kala’s world in 2616, everyone contributed in different ways to produce food and goods in the amounts needed to satisfy all. It was bizarre to Kala that the basic functions of society should be so concentrated as to leave most people helpless when it came to skills such as cooking, gardening, building and sewing. She and the other Guardians had their hands full trying to teach the humans all the things they would need to know if they were to survive the aftermath of the pandemic.

  “I am thankful I brought you here, Brandon,” she said to him one day about a week after he and Jennie had arrived. The two of them were walking the grounds, trying to determine the best site and layout for the garden. “I can count on you and Jennie to help teach the others.”

  “I’m happy to be here,” he replied. “It’s a lot better than starving or getting killed by gangers. And you know, I think I like teaching.”

  His expression turned serious and he glanced around quickly, as if checking to see that they were alone. “Kala, can I ask you something?”

  “Of course.”

  “I was wondering if you could take me to see my family. Maybe rescue them, like you rescued me and Jennie. They’re not far from here. I have to know if they’re alive.”

  Kala stopped walking and turned to face him. “Why have you not mentioned it earlier? I could have easily checked for you. I will check now—what is the address?” Address was a fascinating concept that had been uploaded to her sym back at the center.

  “Not like that,” he nearly shouted. “I’ve got to go myself, see what happened, bring them back if they’re still alive.” He blinked rapidly, his larynx bobbing in his throat.

  Kala realized he was trying not to cry. “All right,” she said, patting his arm. “Try to stay calm. I will see what I can do.”

  He nodded, swallowing. “I don’t want Jennie to know, she’ll just worry. I’ll think of something to tell her. And I want it to be just us two, okay? I know you can take care of me out there.”

  Kala nodded, but she was filled with misgivings. It was not a good idea for oh, so many reasons. But it obviously meant a lot to him. Like all the humans, he had suffered so much already; she couldn’t bring herself to deny him something that meant so much to him.

  That night, back in her quarters, she cast her mind out on the Dronet, moving from one agent to the next, considering whom she should ask to fill in for her.

  What are you doing tomorrow? she asked Antar.

  Don’t know yet, he answered. There’s no expedition organized, so a bunch of us will probably go and work on clearing the bridge to Oakland Mega, so we can start hunting betas over there.

  I’ve got a sort of mini-expedition planned myself, she told him. It’s up in the Presidio area. Would you mind standing in for me here as Guardian? Just for the morning—I should be back around midday.

  Sure, no problem, he said without hesitation. You must’ve gotten a tip from one of the humans. Bring back some betas, all right?

  You bet, she answered.

  Brandon awoke the next morning around five-thirty, feeling exhausted yet unable to sleep any longer. All night, snatch
es of the same relentless dream had circulated through his brain. The viral outbreak hadn’t happened yet, but something terrible was threatening his family, and he was helpless to stop it. The dream faded quickly, and he sat up, yawning. Today he would see them again; why did he feel such a sense of foreboding?

  Jennie and the baby slept on. She had been up earlier and fed her, then gone back to bed. Last night he had given her a story about how he was going to help Kala with some project on the grounds; something to do with the new garden.

  Kala arrived at his room, carrying what looked like a large construction mallet. He had a quick wash and followed her down to the dining hall, where they had a cold breakfast, and then she took him to a mission prep room and showed him how to put on the Unathi body armor she had found for him. To his surprise, she removed her clothes right in front of him to put on her own armor, revealing her sleek swimmer’s body. Color flooded his cheeks and he tried to look away, but it was difficult. She seemed not to notice his discomfort as she pulled her armor on over a barely-there pair of underpants.

  The armor was like an Olympic swimmer’s suit in many ways, covering the chest, back and groin. The sleeves ended just above the elbow, and it covered the legs as far as the mid-thigh. It was very light and comfortable; he could barely feel that it was on. They put their clothes back on over the armor and then she handed him a hooded rain poncho; apparently she knew it was going to rain today. She donned her own, and then they stepped out into the parking area.

  The skies were overcast and the air was heavy, constantly tainted now with the nauseating odor of decay.

  “We will have to walk,” Kala said. “I do not want to use one of the vehicles for this; it might be needed elsewhere today.”

  Brandon nodded; the distance was only about a mile and a half.

  She peered at him thoughtfully. “You look pale. Are you sure you want to do this? There is no need for you to come; I can go alone.”