Genesis Variant (Genesis Book 6)

by Eliza Green

  ‘A neuro-what?’

  Arianna chuckled. ‘It’s a device that will allow us to read the GS humans’ thoughts. They can block us. Or maybe block is the wrong word. It’s possible their minds cannot be accessed with their specific genetic mutations. But either way, Anton has been working on the device to see if we can bypass whatever blockade they have.’

  Laura stopped at the main bench and examined a round, black disc sitting on a piece of cloth. ‘Is this it?’

  A voice sounded from the doorway. ‘Careful, I haven’t tested it yet.’

  Laura turned to see Anton enter the room. He wasn’t as tall as Stephen and had a more relaxed energy to him.

  ‘Sorry to frighten you. I rarely have guests while I work.’

  Laura backed off from his work. ‘I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have...’

  Arianna smiled, prompting Anton to do the same.

  ‘You’re always welcome here, Laura. Don’t feel like you aren’t,’ he said.

  Please excuse my one love for his insensitivity, said Arianna to Laura.

  Arianna pressed her forehead to Anton’s. He closed his eyes and smiled. Laura turned away from the intimate moment. Her fragile heart tugged as she thought of Bill: her husband, her confidante—her best friend. Would she still feel that way about him after she’d properly explored her Indigene side? It still shocked her he’d told her to go, and that she’d walked away, without a fight.

  Arianna separated from Anton and cleared her throat. ‘I’m sorry, Laura. We’re being rude. Anton wants to know if you’re his new experiment.’

  Laura widened her eyes. ‘I don’t know. Am I?’

  ‘Only if you want to be,’ said Anton. ‘To be honest, it’s been a while since I’ve had a different mind to help test out my equipment.’

  ‘Well, you’re going to have to wait in line, Anton.’

  Laura’s eyes shot to the new visitors. Stephen and Serena stood at the entrance to the lab. All four approached her at once. Panic swelled inside her. She stepped back, feeling like the experiment Anton hoped she was.

  She felt Stephen’s mood darken as he said, ‘Please, everyone, give her some space.’

  ‘No, no, it’s fine.’ She stopped where she was, and tried to make light of it. ‘I came here voluntarily. I’m intruding on your space.’

  The others stayed put. Only Stephen approached, but he kept a small distance between them. While the others chatted silently, Stephen stared at her. His intensity became too much to bear.

  She was about to break the mood with a joke when Stephen said, ‘I sense your abilities; they’re faint, but I’d like to study your brain connector paths.’

  ‘My what?’

  ‘Don’t worry,’ said Serena. ‘He did this on me once. It doesn’t hurt. It just maps out your brain, shows you what parts you’re using, and what you’re not.’

  ‘What did you find out when your brain was mapped out?’ said Laura.

  ‘It showed me I used all areas, which is highly unusual.’

  Laura didn’t want to know how different her mind had become with her alteration, then rapid reversal.

  With a sigh, she said, ‘Okay, let’s get this over with.’

  Stephen gestured to the bed that, for some reason, scared Laura. A low hum of silent words from the others encouraged her to lie down. The others watched, like stone statues. She was used to the eerie stillness of the Indigenes. She’d caught herself doing the same while deep in thought. Bill had had to nudge her out of it once or twice. She wished she could read her husband’s mind, and get a real sense of what he thought about her changes.

  Stephen switched on the giant scanning machine and positioned the arm over her head. It hummed while the arm mapped out a perfect 3D representation of her brain in the space between the arm and the bed. Some areas on the image were lit up in red; others were darker.

  She sat up and studied the image next to her. ‘What does it mean?’

  ‘It looks pretty normal,’ said Stephen.

  To Laura’s surprise, that was disappointing to hear. She had expected to hear her brain was a little different. It would explain her ability to see lies as manifestations.

  ‘No changes? I feel weird, I can see and feel when people tell lies, but you’re saying my brain is normal?’

  Stephen smiled. ‘I haven’t even begun, Laura. Patience.’

  She swung her legs over the side of the bed. ‘So what’s next?’

  ‘Now we push you to use whatever abilities you have, and see how your brain function changes. We’ll start with simple telepathy.’

  Stephen was suddenly in her head. Talk to me.

  Laura frowned. About what?

  Anything. I just want to get a baseline reading.

  Okay... She paused. I don’t know what to say, Stephen.

  Okay, tell me about Bill.

  I’d rather not, she replied quickly. How about I tell you about my staff at the ITF?

  Okay, that will work.

  Laura launched into an explanation of the work the ITF did and the staff Laura knew she couldn’t function without. She mentioned Julie, the only person in the office who knew Laura’s secret. She had rambled on for a while when Stephen stopped her with a hand on her arm.

  ‘That’s enough. Now, try to read my thoughts.’

  Laura concentrated on Stephen’s mind and met with an instant blockade. She tried to push past it. During her attempt, she sensed the others’ curiosity, as though they, too, felt her attempts to reach Stephen’s mind. Maybe they could.

  She pushed harder against his blockade.

  ‘What am I thinking about, Laura? Read my mind,’ said Stephen.

  She blew out a breath. ‘I can’t.’

  ‘Okay.’ Stephen studied the 3D image of her brain behind her. She turned and saw new parts of the image had lit up. ‘Your ability to communicate telepathically comes easy to you, but only if others allow you access. To reach my mind is a step too far. That’s probably why you can’t read Bill’s mind.’

  ‘That’s right. I can’t read him. I never could.’

  ‘But you are closest to him. You share a bond. I think, with time, you can.’

  ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘When I visited your home, I felt you try to reach him,’ he said. ‘But you hesitated, almost as if you didn’t want to hear what he had to say. But it’s not entirely your fault. Bill keeps his thoughts to himself and makes it difficult for others to reach him on purpose.’

  That was true. Bill could be one stubborn human when he wanted to be. But talking about him hurt her too much.

  ‘So what you’re saying is I can communicate telepathically, but not very well?’

  Stephen nodded. ‘It’s strange, but then again so are the Indigenes. We have become a bastardised lot. We don’t know how the genetic changes manifest in some people. We’re learning as we go. The GS 100 group is a perfect example of how little we know about the genetic experiments as a whole.’

  But Laura needed a better answer. ‘So am I Indigene or not?’

  ‘Does it matter?’

  ‘Yes. I feel human, then Indigene. I don’t know which side to align to.’

  ‘Why do you need to align yourself to one or the other?’ said Serena. ‘Why not embrace the best of both species?’

  She wished she could. ‘If I could, I wouldn’t be here.’

  Stephen turned off the scanning machine. ‘I think the Nexus could help you. It’s where Arianna helped Serena figure out what she is.’

  The Nexus scared Laura. She had used it just once eight years ago, when she’d been caught between two species and close to death. The Nexus had healed her, or so Serena had said. Laura hadn’t been conscious at the start of her use of it, but by the end, she had awoken to feel the most excruciating pain, like her joints were on fire. That’s when Arianna had pulled her out of there. Laura wasn’t too keen to return.

  ‘Isn’t there another way?’

  ‘Well, you could hunt, test your skills
that way,’ said Stephen. ‘Would you prefer to face down a wild animal that wants to rip the flesh from your bones?’

  Laura did not. ‘Fine. The Nexus it is.’

  ‘When you’re done there,’ said Anton, ‘I would like Laura to test out the neurosensor. She is to us what we are to the GS humans. If she can break down our defences, then, theoretically, we should be able to break down theirs.’

  28

  ‘This is a pile of shit.’

  ‘What is?’

  Marcus leaned against a boulder on the GS boundary line. ‘Sitting here with you. Alone. In the dark. No offense.’

  Clement, perched halfway up one boulder, spied on the environ. ‘None taken. And I’m sure I would say the same if I could read your mind, human.’

  Marcus ignored his Indigene companion and touched the neural blocker below his ear, the one Harvey had inserted under the skin that morning. Harvey said it could block his thoughts from the GS humans. Turned out, it worked on Indigenes, too.

  He sighed. ‘Like I said, no offense. And it’s only fair since I can’t hear you.’

  Clement looked down at him. ‘So what’s the problem then?’

  ‘I didn’t come to this planet to be a grunt. I’m supposed to be someone important.’

  The Indigene sneered. ‘And you think you’ll get there by following someone you don’t even trust?’

  How did he know...? Marcus looked up just as Clement tapped the side of his head.

  ‘I caught all that before your new blocker started working. And I also know you only half followed my instructions.’

  ‘I told him about your interest in switching sides.’

  ‘It wasn’t enough to weaken their suspicions against us. Your leaders still use the blockers.’

  ‘I’m working on it.’ Marcus sighed again. ‘And no, I don’t trust him. But that’s not exactly fucking news.’

  Clement turned back to the environ that Marcus couldn’t see. ‘No, it’s not. But if you expect Harvey to promote you, you’ll be waiting a long time. He doesn’t trust you.’

  Marcus stood back and challenged Clement. ‘What do you mean by that?’

  But the Indigene shrugged as if he’d just made a minor point. Since when was Marcus’ life minor anything? He eyed the Indigene who he trusted as much as he did Harvey. It had been too long since he’d flexed his authority, shown people who was boss.

  ‘What I’m saying is there are other options available to you,’ said Clement.

  ‘What, you mean joining your lot?’

  Clement didn’t look at him. ‘It’s not a bad life, Marcus. You would be well treated.’

  The thought of becoming an Indigene didn’t appeal to him, but a life of being Harvey’s whipping boy appealed even less. At least Harvey’s new blocker kept his thoughts and feelings private from his companion. It wasn’t that long ago Marcus had commanded these creatures he thought of as inferior to him. But not on Exilon 5. Here, the Indigenes had more freedom than he’d expected.

  His choices were to wait for Harvey to see his potential, or consider another route.

  ‘Thanks for the offer, but I don’t fancy living in a cave and eating raw meat.’

  Clement laughed once. ‘There’s more to us than that. For one, we live longer. We’re physically stronger than the humans. Just think how you would match up against the likes of Harvey. But if you want that life, you must follow my instructions to the letter and report back about Harvey and Ollie’s plans and whereabouts. I don’t trust them.’

  Ollie Patterson was insignificant in the scheme of things. Even Marcus could see he was no more than a yes man for Harvey. But he admitted to some curiosity about the life Clement offered.

  ‘Why would you want me to join your little group of freaks anyway?’

  ‘I wouldn’t, but if you spy on Harvey, report back what he says, I’ll put in a good word with my elders.’

  Elders? Such an old-fashioned word.

  Clement continued. ‘I can’t hear his or Ollie’s thoughts any more because of the same style blockers they wear. I need to know what they both have planned.’

  Marcus considered his options. ‘I’ll think about it.’

  ☼

  It was after midnight when Marcus returned to the halfway house. His muscles still ached from the hole he’d been forced to dig for the past few days. No more proving himself to Harvey. Marcus had already done that with Gaetano Agostini.

  He stopped in the kitchen to get a glass of water. The air on Exilon 5 was drier than the oxygen he’d become used to on Earth. He noticed the dining room door was open. Marcus glanced in to see Harvey sat at the table engrossed in something on his DPad. He looked up when Marcus lingered by the door.

  ‘How did it go?’

  ‘Nothing happened. All was quiet in GS land.’

  It was the truth. He and Clement had waited for two hours; no movement from the caves or the environ.

  Harvey returned his attention to the DPad.

  ‘I don’t trust them,’ he said.

  Marcus recalled the exchange between Harvey and the GS human that Ollie hadn’t seen. It was clear Harvey played both sides.

  But Marcus just nodded. ‘They’re keeping to themselves alright.’

  Harvey shook his head. ‘Not the GS humans. The Indigenes.’ He looked up. ‘How did you get on with Clement?’

  ‘Fine.’

  ‘Did he try to convince you to go against me?’

  Marcus shook his head. ‘Why would he? They want the GS humans gone too. That’s what you and Patterson want, isn’t it?’

  ‘Patterson doesn’t have a clue.’ Harvey looked off to the side. ‘The GS humans are a genetic evolution and I can’t help thinking we’re protecting the wrong species—the Indigenes—from extinction.’

  ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘At least the GS can’t read our thoughts.’ Harvey waved his hand and resumed his study of data. ‘Nothing. Get some rest. That hole won’t dig itself tomorrow.’

  But Marcus paused by the door. ‘I wanted to talk to you about that. What’s the hole for exactly?’

  ‘Drainage,’ said Harvey, a little too fast.

  ‘Look, John.’ Marcus addressed Harvey by his alias. ‘I came to this planet to better myself. And I know your background. You told me.’ He lowered his voice. ‘And I also know about your meeting with the GS human.’

  Harvey’s eyes narrowed. ‘How do you know about that?’

  ‘I followed you.’ He shrugged. ‘It doesn’t matter. What I want is a meeting with them.’

  Harvey scoffed. ‘What for?’

  ‘To see if it’s a life worth pursuing.’

  Harvey rocked with laughter. ‘The GS humans—even when they were World Government board members—wouldn’t entertain you on Earth, so why would they do it now? They are genetically superior beings. They eat your kind for breakfast, past and present. Now get that stupid notion out of your head.’

  Marcus balled his fists to control his rising anger. ‘So why don’t you change me then? Into an Indigene? You know how.’

  Harvey looked incredulous. ‘You hate those things. You said so yourself. Now you want to be like one? Sorry, you’ll have to do better than that to convince me.’

  ‘I never said I hated them—’

  ‘You tried to have them all killed on Earth. Remember who you’re speaking to.’

  How could Marcus forget? Or what Harvey thought of him?

  ‘I want a better life here than I had on Earth. I don’t want to dig holes the rest of my life. That’s all I’m saying.’

  Harvey levelled a glare at him. ‘I told you before, I own you.’ His voice dipped dangerously low. ‘I tell you what you will become, not the other way around. Got it?’

  Marcus nodded, if only to kill this conversation dead. Harvey resumed his reading. Marcus had gotten the information he needed. Carrying his glass of water in one hand, he climbed the stairs and planned his next move without Harvey.

  29


  Laura’s unease never left her, not even when the pressure-filled day gave way to the quieter night. She followed Arianna and Serena to the Nexus, hesitating at the entrance to the tranquillity cave she’d only been in once before. She’d been a half-formed Indigene then, drifting in and out of consciousness. Her memories of her time then were just snippets. One thing she remembered was the feel of cool arms around her. Arianna said it had been Anton who’d carried her down the steps into the individual unit. She’d felt a strange blast of light followed by the sensation of being pulled into a hole. She had resisted, that much she remembered. The rest was a blur, except for the scorching pain that lit her joints on fire and made her want to hurl.

  Now, as they stood outside the caves once more, Laura couldn’t seem to get her feet to move.

  ‘Are you sure about this?’ she said to the others. ‘Isn’t there another way to test it? I mean, you have all that equipment. Maybe I could try the neurosensor thingy on Stephen.’

  Arianna smiled. ‘Later. Your fear is rolling off you in waves. This will not be like the last time. I promise. The Nexus reacted to the human part of you. It saw you as a virus and tried to fight you off with heat.’

  Laura’s laugh came out as a hiccup. ‘Is that what it was doing?’

  ‘Come on,’ said Serena. ‘Arianna and I will stay with you the whole time.’

  Laura shuffled forward, then a little more, until she was inside the cave and stood over one unit. She had to do this. Whatever the changes inside her, they were affecting her relationship with Bill. She owed it to him to find answers, to be honest about what she needed and wanted. And she guessed it started with the Nexus.

  She looked at Serena. ‘Do I just get in?’

  Serena nodded. ‘Arianna will accompany you to show you how to connect. It works better if it’s just one connector per unit.’ She waved at Laura. ‘See you on the other side.’

  Laura was about to retort with something smart when Arianna jogged down the stone steps into the hole. She followed her, using the cool wall to steady her descent. At the bottom, Arianna sat cross-legged on the stone floor and motioned for Laura to join her.