“Adam, I’m off to see Pops. Be back later.”
Adam grunted assent. Alana popped her head in his office. “And I need to have some time alone with you next week. An hour, maybe two.”
“Everything OK? I’m not in trouble, am I?”
“Nope, you’re not in any trouble. In fact, quite the contrary. Have you always been so suspicious that you’ve fucked something up?”
“No. Just since I met Misti. Remember, I married a tyrant.”
“My God, you’re whipped!”
“Indeed, I am, and proudly so. I’m happy to be the new Adam, and not the old one. Wasn’t an accident, you know. She rescued me.”
“From?”
“Me, who else? I was my own worst enemy. Dad and I fought like cats and dogs. Now we’re both afraid of her; she brought order to the chaos. What’s a little ‘whipped’ for all the good stuff? Nothing.”
“I discover a new facet of the rare gem that is Adam St. James every day. I’m proud of you, boy.”
“All right. Enough. When do we have our chat? And is this personal, professional or political?”
“All of the above. Plus, one more bonus category. But wait another couple of days. I’ll have most of my work here finished for you, then we can talk. Deal?”
“Your wish … Say hi to Pops.”
Alana turned and was gone.
***
Two days later, Alana was finished. She had found a great deal of information and reconstructed events with precision and clarity. Her conclusions wouldn’t probably come as any revelation to Adam, who after all, couldn’t care less if the Gens killed each other, started a civil war or decided to move to the Gobi Desert. However, he was concerned about this new player in the deck, Saldana Ri. That she had outsmarted Paulo, the global, and institutional leader of the Gens Collective, as well as his brother Enzo, and was significant in and of itself. That she was likely a serial killer and, by all accounts, a Gestapo-like psychotic enforcer was a now a confirmed fact.
More impressive than that, however, was that she had co-opted a whole bunch of the Gens elite and begun a Movement, all while using Collective funds discreetly and quietly, and then appropriating their own technology for use against them. She had brought the Collective to its very knees, engineering the events in London and the response by Adam. This chain of events then had caused the very internal crisis that the Collective was experiencing, causing Adam to consider opening a second front in his war against the Gens Collective.
What a woman! Psychotic or just an average flower of Gens womanhood? Adam had all the evidence he needed, thanks to Alana.
He was now prepared to share his conclusions with Paulo. Maybe even offer to help him with his little Black Shirt problem. After all, Adam concluded he could easily destroy Paulo and his Collective by non-lethal means. His secret weapon: Alana McCarthy. Her summary of how this could be accomplished was chilling in its completeness, elegant in its simplicity and devastating in its effect.
Her brief on Saldana Ri was quite the opposite. Whether it was respect for her acumen or simply an acknowledgement of the trajectory of her chilling plans, was irrelevant, at least as Alana assessed them. Alana’s surmise was based on fact and data, not emotion. Saldana Ri was closing in on the means and methods of destroying humanity, the Gens induced new Extinction Event. It was unclear in Alana’s mind just how close she was to realizing her plans. But the capacity, will and means to execute on her plan were very real. There were a few bumps on Saldana’s path to glory; one would be difficult to surmount.
Alana concluded that Saldana Ri was an immediate and present existential threat to humanity, as well as a clear majority of transformed Gens. Saldana Ri had perfected a version of the E-5 Virus that, while virulent to homo sapiens and transformed Gens, was nonetheless just as deadly to natural state Gens too.
She had similarly made major advances on several versions of drug therapies in the Serum Project, some intended, some not.
Alana’s conclusion: find her, kill her, and destroy all the data she had accumulated as fast as possible. Then deal with Paulo and the Gens Collective. It would be time for them to come out of the shadows, just as soon as the Saldana Ri problem was resolved.
Chapter 28
The family convened in the common area of Building Misti; everyone, including Mom and Pops, were in attendance. Alana had composed a little slide show to outline what Alana had discovered and what Adam and Alana had decided to propose to the family for action. These proposals were more suggestions for possible scenarios, but the core conclusions of the exigent circumstances were beyond question and undisputed in their minds, even if the response to them was less so.
Alana was the presenter, and began, “I have been busy as a beaver these past few weeks with the data and information we obtained from Paulo and from our previous hacking activities.”
Rod and Adam briefly interrupted, trying to suppress laughter, but giggling like little boys at something the rest of the family, except for Misti and Cindy, didn’t really get.
Misti spoke up, “Really? Like twelve-year old’s? Honestly guys, grow up.”
The men burst out laughing, trying to defend themselves against fortress Misti. They looked for help, as did Misti for support, from Cindy. She looked at them all and said, “What?”
Misti frowned. “You too?”
Cindy said, “It’s funny. And harmless. Just ignore them and they’ll settle down. They always do.”
“From your vast experience with raising children I presume?”
“All my life with them. This is nothing.”
***
When Adam, Rod and Cindy were growing up in Barrows Bay, they didn’t all attend the same schools at the same time. Cindy and Rod did, of course, but Adam was essentially ‘home schooled’ and done with high school at an early age. But the three still did regular activities together, some with the local elementary and some at the Institute. One of those activities was Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
From an early age, the three practiced, or “rolled” with each other and other kids from Barrows, plus a few “townies”. When practice was over, the three always ended after class by playing their own version of “king of the mountain”. From an early age until around age eleven, the order of dominance was Rod, then Adam then Cindy. But then something changed in the relationship each had with the others; Cindy noticed that Adam was becoming particularly aggressive with her while Rod wasn’t.
So, she asked him one day what was up with his attitude.
“I should’ve said something rather than act out. That’s what Dad says I do. But it’s like this. I have watched you learn and compete, and technically you’re as good as both Rod and I and, I might even say, better. And in terms of who’s the best athlete on the mat on any given day, that would be you first, then Rod and then me.”
“Thanks. I think. So?”
“So, in terms of where we end up after class, I beat you, then Rod beats me. That’s bullshit because either you aren’t trying to win, or you don’t want to win. You could, and you should, win every match here. But you don’t. So, what’s up with that?”
Cindy thought about it. “I guess I don’t care. Maybe I don’t think I can win, so what’s the point of trying?”
“Think about this until we roll again. Then tell me if you want to be better than you are, or just here for exercise. Stop acting like a girl and decide if you want to dominate. If you do, then everything changes for us. It starts next time.”
Cindy thought about what Adam had said, wondering where it suddenly all came from. Most of what Adam just said to Cindy had been said to him by his Dad about his education, and skills development. She was touched that Adam had seen something in her that she hadn’t seen in herself. Was he correct?
They rolled again two days later.
“OK. I thought about it and maybe you’re right. What do I do now?”
“What do ‘we’ do now, you mean.�
�
“Who’s we?”
“You, me, Rod and my Dad I guess. We start today after class.”
“What exactly?”
“Work on your fitness, get stronger and quicker and way more flexible. And Rod and I will pound you mercilessly every time we roll until you get tired of getting submitted. We’re going to punish you and choke you out until you get tired of that too.”
“And this will help me?”
“It helps me, that’s all I can say. It isn’t any fun, but frustration will either make you better, more focused, and constructively angry, or you’re going to quit. I’m betting you’ll be ‘king of the mountain’ sooner than you think. I don’t see any quit in you.”
“If you say so.”
They rolled and, as Adam predicted, Cindy did get better, and she didn’t quit. Six months later, Cindy choked out Adam, who refused to tap out. Two weeks after that, she put him in an arm bar and he again refused to tap out. He couldn’t use that arm for two weeks.
“Why won’t you tap out? I don’t really want to hurt you or fuck you up.”
“But I want you to hurt me, or more precisely, I want you to follow all the way through on what you must do when someone doesn’t submit or it’s real life and you need to hurt someone. You have no choice when someone refuses to submit; you must have the will to hurt them. Even if the idiot is me.”
“Isn’t there a nicer way? A better way short of harm?”
“Nope. They submit to you or you fuck them up. Do it a couple of times when your skills as a girl are not being respected. They’ll learn their lesson and they’ll tap out for sure the next time. You’re going to have to do that with me. You’ll have to do that with other guys. And, I’m really sorry, but you need to be prepared to do the same with Rod.”
Cindy was less than happy with this conversation and she definitely didn’t want to hurt Adam or Rod.
But she did, upped her level of skill and aggression and it changed everything about her life. A year after the initial conversation, on a warm spring day after class, Cindy was doing ‘king of the mountain’ with Adam and Rod. Adam had long since dropped to third place with Cindy in second. Cindy submitted Adam after a just a few minutes on the mat. By now the instructor and most of the class hung around after their regular session to watch the three roll.
Cindy took a few minutes to catch her breath, looked at her boyfriend and simply said, “Let’s roll.”
The spar went long, with neither coming close to submitting to the other. But Brazilian jiu-jitsu is like chess, so patience is required, and opportunities and mistakes looked for. At the seven-minute mark, Cindy’s superior conditioning, flexibility and technique finally combined with her raw athletic ability. She shot at Rod’s legs quickly, taking him down and giving her position. In lightening quick fashion, she was behind him and pulling his Gi taught around his neck. Rod couldn’t escape and wouldn’t tap out, even as his consciousness began to fade.
Cindy had choked out Rod. She was ‘king of the mountain’. She had thought about this moment for a good long while. If she beat Rod, and hurt him, how would she feel then? How would Rod feel?
Today she found out. He wasn’t Rod, he was an opponent who wouldn’t tap out. Just what Adam had said not all that long ago.
Rod and Cindy vied back and forth for several more years until finally Rod couldn’t use his testosterone and strength to dominate a roll. In the end, Cindy was almost always ‘king of the mountain’.
The day after that match, Adam showed up unexpectedly on the doorstep of the Eagan family. Cindy answered the door. Adam handed her an envelope, and said the contents were for her. Just for her. The single piece of paper was drawn by Adam but signed by both Rod and Adam.
She never told anyone about it or showed it to anyone. It was just for her, and her alone.
***
Misti listened as Cindy finished her story, not understanding what it had to do with the boys or their childish behavior. Or with anything in fact.
Misti asked, “What was in the envelope?”
Cindy looked at Adam. “It was a rather crude hand drawn picture of male genitalia, with three balls hanging down instead of two. It had two smaller balls and one big ball. On the big ball was my name. Below it read, ‘Queen of the mountain.’”
Cindy continued, “I love my husband, and my life couldn’t be any happier. Much of that, most of that happiness is my husband and our family. But a part of who I am, a part of who I have become is what I learned from Adam growing up. The lessons he passed on to me from the pain he suffered, from the doubt and resentment he felt. But I always knew from that day forward that Adam was my brother, that he loved me as his sister. He didn’t want me to experience the pain he endured but, instead, to learn from it. To take the lessons from it and make my life better. In helping me, he helped himself absorb the lessons he learned from his own father. After that, I always understood Adam as he was, in all his brilliance and darkness, and in that understanding a very special love for him that I knew would always endure. This is why I never criticize Adam’s behavior, refuse to give him girl advice, and always remain ready and willing to lend an ear should he ask for it. He rarely does, not because he doesn’t like my suggestions, but because he always takes full responsibility for himself and all his actions.”
Cindy paused.
“So, are my boys a little silly and occasionally childish? Acting like little brats? Who cares? They’re my boys and I understand them both. If they ever get out of control, they know I’ll kick their asses. All good.”
Chapter 29
Adam and Rod looked at each other, realizing that this meeting was beyond serious; Alana hadn’t only worked hard on this task, but also on the presentation and the steps forward. As she had no idea what she said that was so funny, she just stopped what she was doing and listened to Cindy. But like Misti, Alana was having trouble connecting the story Cindy told the moment at hand. As was often the case with this odd family, she decided to let the moment pass rather than try to understand it. It probably made great sense; just not to her.
Adam spoke up. “I, I mean we, Rod and I apologize for the interruption which was totally childish and extremely rude. Sorry but Rod and I are both brats which Cindy understands, and for which she makes allowances. I think she’s the only one who ever has or ever will. I’m very sorry. Please continue.”
Alana looked around the room to the others assembled, looking for a reaction.
Edward said, “Carry on Alana and ignore this nonsense. We are all sorry to have raised such poorly behaved and immature sons.”
Edward’s eyes scanned the room and settled on Cindy, in disapproving fashion. She held Edward’s gaze, unfazed, then mouthed the words “Fuck you.”
Alana paused for a moment, letting the words and mood settle on the room, then continued.
“As I started to say, Adam and I have put this presentation together after several weeks of intense searching, hacking and compilation of source materials from Paulo Fortizi. We have been able to confirm the authenticity and accuracy of materials and information he sent, and those materials have additionally led us to new discoveries and activities about which we’re fairly certain Paulo had no idea.
“My presentation today will cover several areas. First, the real cause of the incident in London. Who was behind it, how it came about, and who carried it out. Second, the existence of the Black Shirts, who they are, the leadership, and how they connect with the Gens Collective. Third, what happened in the aftermath of the response to the Incident at the Labs, Preserves and wilderness areas. Fourth, the Black Shirt propaganda following our response to the Incident and the present state of the leadership of the Collective. Fifth, the state of Black Shirt research and development, including the E-5 virus and the so-called Serum Project. This includes the discovery of research locations of Black Shirt Labs. Sixth, our ability to continue tracking the Gens Collective, and members of the Black Shirt movem
ent, including leadership. This includes our newest adversary, Saldana Ri. Seventh, a set of questions regarding our relationship to the Gens Collective moving forward, if any and to the Black Shirt movement, if any. Eighth and finally, options for what should we, could do next.
Alana paused and looked around the room, briefly settling her gaze on Adam. He mouthed, ‘I’m sorry’. She smiled, not responding, and ignored him, completely unaffected by his childishness. She was happy to ignore his behavior this day, and on many other days well into the future. Alana simply didn’t notice or care about these irrelevant outbursts.
She said, “Any questions before we begin?”
Pops said, “Anything we should be paying special attention to at the outset? Something to bear in mind as you give us the big picture?”
Alana said, “Yes. The Black Shirt Movement and Saldana Ri are much further along in starting the apocalyptic war that the Gens Collective thought it was preparing to wage. And Saldana Ri is the critical and possibly only means of resolving this problem. If we solve her, we solve this. And, in case you were wondering, the Gens Collective is nowhere near ready for any confrontation while the Black Shirts pose an imminent, and immense danger to humanity. There is only one small matter that holds them back and keeps us alive.”
Maria was suddenly very attentive. “Which is?”
“For the war to commence, Saldana Ri must die.”
***
The entire assemblage was silent, letting the words that Alana spoke settle into their consciousness.
Misti was dumfounded but collected herself quickly. “Are you saying that, but for this one fact, the life or death of Saldana Ri, that the Black Shirts have the capability to carry out the plans that were hatched by the Gens Collective?”
“Yes. Without question.” Alana waited for the next question.
Adam said, “I think we should let Alana go through her presentation then you can ask all your questions afterward. Otherwise this will take hours and you’ll still have a million questions we can’t answer. So, let Alana tell you what we know. Then we can decide what to do next.”
Probe Page 84
