The doctor then hugged him.“You did good, Adam Lloyd. They will grow up healthy and wise.”
Adam left the room, and located Chief Hamilton sitting in a nearby chair with a sawed-off pump 12 gauge. “Expecting company, Chief?”
“Better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it. Besides, I’m their godfather.”
Adam laughed. “That’s godfather as in helping raise the kids morally and spiritually, not godfather as in making people offers they can’t refuse, right?”
Chief Hamilton smiled. “Affirmative. But as weird as things are right now, I’m not taking any chances.”
Adam checked his watch. “I need to run to the office, and see if there are any fires to put out. I’ll be back.”
“Take your time, my friend. This is easy duty.” The Chief stood up and handed Adam a box he had concealed under his chair. “You’ll need these, if you believe in tradition.”
It was a box of Cuban cigars. “I got those from our friends with the last cargo of sugar cane.”
Adam stuck out his hand. The Chief stood up and grasped it.
“Thanks for being my friend all these years, Chief.”
“Hell, that was the easy part. Now, go and have that drink and kick back for a few. You’ll be busy enough when the ladies come home with the little ones tomorrow. I know I was.”
Adam had spaced on the fact that Chief Hamilton was once a father himself.
“Willie, I hope someday you find someone new you can share your life with.”
The Chief shrugged. “If I do, great. If not…well, I had a good life until the Squids showed up. I’ll always remember that.”
Off all of the things Adam had difficulty connecting with the Tschaaa showing up, the loss of the Chief’s family was probably the worst. Possibly because it was personal.
“Now, Boss. Take off. I’ll keep an eye on them.”
Adam arrived at the office to find Heidi Faust setting at Mary’s desk, answering the telephone.
“Yes, Sir. I’ll pass that on to the Director. Yes Sir, he is still at the hospital. I’ll pass your good wishes on to him. Have a nice day.”
“What are you doing here this early, Heidi? I didn’t call you.”
“Well, Boss, you should have. What good is security if you don’t use it.”
Adam shook his head in slight disbelief. “I guess news travels fast, even early in the morning.”
Heidi flashed her smile, which started with her sparkling eyes. “Congratulations on becoming an instant father, four times over.”
Adam walked over to the desk and Heidi stood up to hug him. “Thanks, Heidi. You’ve been as much of a friend as you have been a bodyguard. I’m blessed.”
He stepped back and produced a Cuban cigar. “Do you like cigars, Heidi?”
She laughed. “I have on occasion smoked them. I will definitely not turn down a Cuban, that’s for sure.” She took the cigar, then smelled it. “Nothing like the smell of good tobacco. Brings back fond memories of my father. Oh, speaking of father figures—that last phone call was from the Admiral. He’d like your permission to go visit the moms and newborns.”
“Of course he has permission. Hell, he’s like an older uncle to my wives. If not for him, half this place would not even exist.”
“Well, give him a call when you get a chance. I think he wants to talk.”
Adam nodded. “I’ll do that. First, I need to contact His Lordship.” With that, Adam went into his private office and shut the large double doors. He pulled the laptop communicator Andrew had set up for him from his locked desk side drawer. A few quick adjustments and commands, and he had a secure video feed with Lord Neptune. Every time Adam thought about the alien Lord choosing that name—his original Tschaaa name was almost unpronounceable by humans—Adam chuckled to himself. His Lordship had definitely watched way too many Earth movies.
But then again, it seemed most Tschaaa Lords preferred to be referred to as a name or title from some Earthly reference rather than trying to anthropomorphize and translate their name into some Earth language. His Lordship had once told Adam that trying to “translate” his name into something recognizable would have resulted in a sentence length name talking about the positive characteristic his sire had seen in him. Sires of the young did the naming. His Lordship said his name in English would have referred not only to his intelligence, but also the weird way he looked at things. Adam guessed a Native American name like Sitting Bull or Crazy Horse—names that referred to some attribute of the individual—would have been the closest to the idea behind Tschaaa names. When Adam had mentioned the name Crazy Horse as an example, Lord Neptune had laughed in his Tschaaa manner.
“That name would have been a close fit in some Tschaaa’s opinion. At least the ‘crazy’ part.”
Adam pinged the Tschaaa Lord’s communication device and waited for an answer. It came quickly in the form of a video feed of His Lordship lounging on a bed of fresh seaweed. The Tschaaa apparently liked the feel and smell of Earth seaweed.
“Ah, my good and faithful Director. You are calling me about the birth of your young. This is indeed an auspicious occasion.” The Tschaaa universal translator was quite efficient.
“Once again, Your Lordship, you have the advantage of prior knowledge.”
Lord Neptune moved his tentacles and arms in signs of amusement, laughter. “Andrew contacted me with the good news as soon as he had it. Congratulations on the birth of four healthy children. I take it that our improvements to your species seem to be working.”
Adam grit his teeth a bit at that last statement. Every woman who had signs of “modifications” in their genome, hormones, reproductive cycle had visions of giving births to monsters thanks to Tschaaa meddling. So far, other than complications due to the rapid growth of the fetuses, which resulted in women giving birth to twins in seven months, all reports were favorable. The wife of Major Bender, Aleks Smirnov, had by some quirk of fate beat all other known “modified births” by at least twenty four hours. Adam had received notifications of nearly one hundred births so far, not all of them apparently involving those “modified”. The worst complication reported was the increase of caesarean births due to the very large size of the twins versus a mother’s pelvis.” Of course, the real test would be seeing how the children developed in the next months. Would the accelerated birthing and growth have dire results? Only time would tell.
The Tschaaa Lord continued, “I am used to multiple births, triplets and larger numbers at one time, but we recognize that carrying more than two new young to term at one time could have been deadly for some human females.”
New young. Yes, the current batch of humans were “new”, and hopefully improved. If this accelerated growth resulted in mental abnormalities, high incidents of cancer, or an early death, then the long term gain would be naught. But then again, the Tschaaa would have larger quantities of “veal” around for consumption. He had not told Adam how this specifically affected the occupants of Cattle Country. Adam did not even want to know the level of “infection” in the walled and fenced off three state area. He had enough to worry about.
“Well, Sir, so far, so good. I have four apparently healthy bouncing babies—two boys and two girls, as well as two tired but very happy wives.”
“Excellent. I will prepare a personal message for your breeders. Please let them know that anything they require for the healthy growth of their young will be provided. I suppose I am experiencing emotions similar to what a human godfather must feel. I may not be related, but I feel a bond, a responsibility to them.” Adam did not tell him how weird, almost sick that sounded. He had once been told of the Future Farmers of America. The children and teenagers raised animals they felt close to, only to see them slaughtered for meat. But then again, pigs and such were not considered sentient beings.
“I will pass that on, your Lordship. Thank you.”
“Thank you, Director, for your continued support. Now I must contact James Kray.
He needs to brief me on his operations and preparations.”
Adam knew that Kray and his Krakens had taken over primary responsibilities for dealing with the Resistances in Atlanta, as well as preparing a counterstrike against the Unoccupied States. Adam had no desire to know the details. His attitude toward such things had changed since seeing the Tschaaa’s reactions to the nuke strike and the televised images of the Pit Raid. Now, he was more focused on keeping as many humans outside Cattle Country alive as possible. He would never let on, but his trust of Lord Neptune was extremely low.
“I will talk to you later, your Lordship.” The connection was broken.
Adam knew he and the other parents of these “new” children were so far very lucky. No monsters, no deaths at birth. Thalidomide-like effects, deformed bodies and minds, so far were absent. So far. If they ever appeared, there would be more hell to pay.
He put away the secure communicator, then began to check his voice messages and emails. Ninety percent were related to the newborns and their mothers, mostly congratulations and well-wishes. He then heard a familiar voice in the outer office.
“Hello, Heidi, is the Director available?” It was Andrew’s voice. It was still a mystery how a person that large could move around so quietly. Had he not spoken, Adam would not even have known he was there.
Adam rose from his chair and walked to the double doors. “I’m always available for you, Andrew. You know that.”
“One should not be rude if it isn’t necessary, Director. Everyone needs their privacy.” Andrew held two large flower arrangements in his arms.
“I take it those are for Kat and Mary?”
“Yes, Adam. I also have a large amount of diapers and other such necessary items in my Falcon parked at the Sportplatz. Let me know when I can transport them to your residence.”
“Anytime, friend. By the way, do you smoke cigars?”
Andrew paused, as if accessing a computer program.
“I never was a smoker before my conversion to a robocop. That poses an interesting question—what would the experience of me smoking a cigar be like now?”
“Does that mean the answer is yes, you’d like one?”
“Don’t mind if I do, Adam.” Andrew set down the two sets of flowers, and took the offered Cuban cigar.
“Supplied by the Chief, if my guess is correct.”
“As usual, Andrew, you are spot-on.” Adam produced a Zippo lighter and lit the cigar.
“Those flowers are beautiful, Andrew,” Heidi commented.
“Yes, they are nice,” Andrew replied between initial puffs. He then proceeded to blow exact smoke rings. “This is rather nice. I guess I was missing something six years ago. It is an interesting interface with my sensors.” He puffed some more on the cigar.
“To your point, Heidi, I obtained or rather, picked those flowers myself. And arranged them. My first attempt at it.”
“Andrew, you never said you had an artistic side to you.” Heidi smiled. “I know you are a man of many talents, but not flower arranging.”
“I appreciate your comments, Heidi. I find myself exploring new interests these days, pushing my envelope so to speak. Recently, the interface with my more mechanical side has made me appreciate my human parts even more. Intellect without humanity, feelings, seems to… lack something.”
Adam interjected. “You are the becoming the epitome of a Renaissance Man, Andrew—trying to explore, experience, and understand the world around you.”
A small smile formed on Andrew’s lips. “Now you are the one spot on, Director. I think that is exactly what I have been doing. Odd that with all my access to data, I didn’t make this observation myself.”
“It’s a matter of perspective. Sometimes someone looking from the outside in notices things about the inside.”
Andrew blew more perfect smoke rings, and smiled again.
“I will have to visit new fathers more often, so I can score more free cigars.”
“Well, my cyborg friend, if things keep going the way they are, you may have many more chances to score cigars.”
Andrew paused for a moment, once again apparently scanning databases via his many interfaces with both Tschaaa and human information networks. “In addition to the two born first to our favorite Major and his wife in the U.S., and now your four healthy newborns, I have reliable information on one hundred more mothers with evidence of manipulation to their reproductive systems giving birth to healthy twins. There is also definite evidence of some thirty other women with signs of manipulation and modifications by Tschaaa medical science in Key West. I am trying to obtain specific data in the other Tschaaa controlled areas, but it has been more difficult. I think some people are afraid to come forward, because they fear that they will lose their children.
“So far, the Unoccupied States have been rather closed-mouthed other than Major Bender’s offspring. Probably because Aleks Smirnov, his wife, seems to be the first test case.”
Adam decided that, in spite of his instincts, he had to ask the question. “What about in Cattle Country? Or the Feral areas?”
Andrew looked directly at Adam, no longer puffing on his cigar, “Due to the recent attempt at revolt and resistance in walled off Cattle Country, exact numbers are unknown. I believe it is substantially more. Information is even less reliable for the Feral areas. Unless they seek medical aid, some mothers may not realize what is going on until they suddenly go into labor very early. Or else they experience severe problems during birth due to the size of the babies. This does not even address miscarriages. Without close medical observation, the miscarriage rate may be very high.”
Adam’s expression must have taken a dark turn, as Andrew quickly added,“ I am sorry if what I say is too raw. I no longer see a need to lie, or try and sugar coat the facts. Unpleasant truth is still the truth. It is something we must face.”
“How do you feel and think about this, Andrew?” Heidi suddenly broke in.
“I feel bad about any child, unborn or born, hurt by attempts to make them ‘better’, or to make their gestation period shorter. I believe that if I were in charge, I would not have found it necessary to try and modify the human genome in such a rapid and drastic way.” He paused and flicked the ash off his cigar into an ashtray Adam had purchased years ago at a yard sale. “But then again, I was not in charge.”
Adam scrutinized Andrew. He once again realized there was more to the Robocop that meets the eye, and that the Tschaaa had no clue what they had helped create. “Well, my friend, I guess we just have to take things as they come.”
Andrew responded with a small smile. “Yes, Director. We are friends. And we do have to make the best of bad situations.” He stubbed out the cigar in the ashtray, then placed the remaining stogie in a small hidden body compartment.
“I will finish this fine cigar later. Now I must depart.” He paused. “Jeanie and Jamey are approaching. Probably to talk to you.”
Adam suspected that, like the others, they would like to say congratulations and ask if they could visit soon.
“Thanks, Andrew. Heidi, send them in when they get here, please.”
“Will do, Boss.”
“I will speak with you later, Director. Again, Congratulations.”
“Thank you, Andrew. Come by later for another cigar.”
“I will do that, Director.”
Adam sat and waited. He had not had a lot of time to spend with the “Barbie twins”, who were not related but looked like they should have been. They still stayed in adjoining rooms to his suite, but with his sister wives both pregnant, they had slept with him exactly once. And that sex had been at the prompting of Mary as pure stress relief. They both still worked at a daycare, helping with all the young children as teacher’s aides to Professor Sarah Fassbinder, also very pregnant. She should be giving birth any day now.
He heard the bright happy voices of the two women as they greeted Heidi in the front office. Adam stood up and made his way to his office double do
ors.
“Ladies, come on in. Andrew said you were coming.”
“Can’t surprise you with him around,” Jamey said with a smile.
“We came to congratulate you and your wives on the safe and healthy births,” said Jeanie. “Like the ancient Greeks, we come bearing gifts. But don’t worry, they don’t hide anything.”
“You two are way too honest to conceal anything. I know that.”
Out of a large basket they were carrying between them, they produced four matching baby blankets, two blue, two pink. Embroidered on the blankets were the names of the newborn, chosen well before birth. Out of the basket also came four matching little teddy bears.
“All handmade by yours truly. Hope you, Kat, Mary, and the little ones like them.”
Adam, for one of the few times in his life, was speechless. He had so underestimated these two women, probably because he had viewed them primarily as sex objects for so long. Perhaps because he was now a father, Adam suddenly realized the complete “wrongness” in the way he had treated them all these years. He now saw that he had “two diamonds in the rough” all this time right under his nose. We walked over and hugged them both, again a large lump in his throat.
“If there is ever anything you two want or need, just say the word. I’ve taken you for granted for years, and I used you.”
“Well, truth be told, we used you also, Boss.” Jamey met his eyes when she said this, a previously unnoticed firmness in her gaze. “We love you, but let’s face it—we love each other more.”
“Yes,” Jeanie added. “We saw a good thing, a way to be safe and relatively comfortable when all those around us were starving and dying. Or being eaten. You saved us from that fate and worse, so we latched on to you.”
Jamey continued, “You are not the bad person some people think you are. We came to love you, and to want to help you try to rebuild humanity, even if on a very limited scale. Hopefully, we did actually help.”
The Tsunami Page 61
