Breeders (Breeders #1)

by Ashley Quigley

  “Hello, Mr. Black.” He nodded curtly at me. I guess everyone isn’t as friendly as what I thought. “The Elders are waiting for you. Please follow me.” He turned and led us down a circular corridor, with a slight incline. It felt as if we were spiraling downwards.

  “Is this? Are we…?”

  “We are,” replied Mason. “This is the first level and the start of the underground tower. It is a superficial level, the only one you can get to by walking.” We stopped at a huge metal door.

  “Scan please,” the Guardian spat out in my direction. Automatically I held out my hand. As the doors slid open, Mason clasped my left hand gently, taking me by surprise.

  “Ready?” he whispered. He looked more nervous then I, which worried me.

  “Sit there,” commanded the Guardian gruffly, before I had a chance to answer.

  “What’s his problem?” I asked Mason, as we walked towards two chairs in the centre of the room. Before he could respond, the room was suddenly flooded in a soft pallor of lights, illuminating a raised desk spanning the length of the room, which I noticed was also circular. At the first half of the desk were seated twelve of the most beautiful and perfectly groomed people I had ever seen, beaming down warmly at us. They were all dressed in pastel shades of the same suited one-piece.

  “Welcome, Mason, Breeder 107.” It was an elderly gentleman who spoke first. I nodded courteously, taking my lead from Mason. I searched the twelve faces looking for those icy blue eyes that I had the unfortunate pleasure of seeing yesterday. Having made sure Mother Creator was not in attendance, I settled back into my chair a little.

  “Ariet, how has your transition been?” Elder Number Two addressed me, his long slender hands adjusting the microphone to his level.

  “Um, okay, I guess,” I replied simply.

  “I’m sure it’s been a shock to you, and we know that this period of adjustment is extremely difficult. Please try to understand that you have been selected to help ensure the survival of our species. There is no other matter to us which is more important than that. Dr. Maple will address you now on the procedure for this next month.”

  “Hello, Ariet,” Dr. Maple peered down at me; creases lined his warm eyes giving his age away. I wondered if his last name was due to the color of his eyes, a wonderful syrupy brown. “Ariet, you are now referred to as Breeder 107, which I am sure you already know. You have been selected to join our Breeding program, whereby we are trying to genetically diversify or select if you will, for a specific set of genes, as is in your case. I see by your file, you have recently passed your twenty-first birthday, at which point your partnership with Mr. Black,” he gestured towards Mason inconsequentially, become official. Reproduction is to be started from the first of the new month. Have you been made aware of the two options available for conception?” I nodded in response.

  “Great. The point of these meetings will be to ascertain, on a weekly basis, the status of your partnership with Mr. Black and whether or not you meet the criteria under which we believe that you could have a successful, natural partnership and conceive using the coitus method.” He paused for a moment, as if allowing this to sink in. “If we deem that the natural method of conception is not possible, you will be removed from your dwelling and will reside permanently in the medical residence, whereby fertilization in vitro will occur.” He removed his glasses and looked solemnly at me. “I urge you very strongly, Ariet, to please do your utmost to convince us that we should select Option One. Do you have any questions?”

  Mason shook his head, and rose to stand. Quickly pulling him down, I eagerly squeaked out “Yes, I do. What, exactly, have I been selected for?” Eyebrows raised at me, I pressed on. “I mean, I know I have this gene, and Mason has this gene, but what is it for? Why is it so important?”

  “Hello, Ariet,” Elder Number Nine spoke. “I am the Head Geneticist here, and I run the Human Genetic Engineering department which leads the Breeding program. We cannot divulge the full details of the gene of interest, but what I can tell you is that the gene both you and Mason carry is essential to our survival. Over the last century, we have investigated genes which may be selected to enhance popularly desired traits such as athletic ability, intelligence, appearance and personality. The Creators have been using these genetic markers to select for the perfect human. The gene you both carry, we hope when expressed, will result in disease resistance.” I stared blankly at him. “Your offspring and others of the same genetic code will be paired with other set of breeders to ensure that the new generation of humans will have exceptional memory and will be able to retain all knowledge we have gained since the Great Illness. They will be able to carry on our work, in the event that another illness occurs due to disease resistance.”

  “So, in effect you are creating a superhuman?” I asked disagreeably.

  He looked down stiffly at me, “You could call it that. We prefer to rather look at it as genetic selection. The result of germline engineering is that since the gene is inheritable, offspring and all succeeding generations would carry the modified trait.”

  “But this type of engineering could lead to irreversible alteration of the entire human species. What if it doesn’t work?” I argued. “What if you create an undesirable trait?”

  “Then you, your offspring and fellow breeders carrying the same gene, will be terminated at our discretion…”

  “We need to talk,” Mason sat down next to me on the chair. I had not moved or said a word since our meeting with the Elders. “Ariet, please,” his voice hinted of sadness and concern. “We need to decide what approach we will be using for conception. I need to know what you want to do. We have to report back next week.”

  A long sigh escaped my lips, as I surrendered to my fate. “What if neither method works for us, what if we don’t produce offspring, never mind with the trait they are looking for?” Turning sideways to look at him, my knees bunched up beneath me, I searched his face for the answers.

  “They will make sure we keep trying until something happens. They know we are both healthy, fertility-wise anyway.”

  “As if there even is such a thing,” I scoffed.

  His impatience grew. “Look, I know you don’t want to do this, but I’m letting you decide, to be a part of this decision, when…” his voice trailed off.

  “When what?” I startled.

  “When,” he took a deep breath, “when the decision isn’t actually yours to make. It is mine.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “Well, it’s the male’s decision.”

  “Why?”

  “Because that’s how things are run here in Centre Town, Ariet, and in all of the Quadrants actually. Males produce the genetic seed for fertilization. Women are just carriers, housing vessels, if you will.”

  “So why are you even asking me then?” I screeched defiantly.

  “Because I am not a monster. I don’t want this anymore than you do, but I am in this predicament as much as you are and I am trying to be sensitive to this situation, our situation.”

  That seemed to soften me up just a little bit. “Option one is definitely better than the other. At least I get to have some semblance of freedom,” I gestured with my hand towards the beautiful view in front of me.

  “So what are you saying?” he asked patiently. I turned away from him, “I choose natural conception,” the defeat in my voice so obvious he winced with pain.

  “Ok. If this is your choice, I will alert the others. We begin next week”.

  Chapter 8

  The next few days went by relatively quietly. Having alerted the Elders to “our” decision of the method of conception, we were allowed more access to Centre Town but stayed within the walls surrounding the Great Tower. We visited with a few of Mason’s friends. I noticed, strangely, that I hadn’t met any of his family, other than Evelyn, and no one had made mention of them either. Making a mental note to question him about this later, I tried to focus all my energy on the pretense of being calmer and
fitting in. At this point, I could not muster trying to fake happiness as this situation was so far removed from any reality of mine that I still couldn’t fathom my circumstances.

  On the fourth day since our decision had been made known, Mason asked me after breakfast if I would like to visit two more of his friends. I shrugged apathetically but stood up from where I was sitting and followed him out. He seemed so excited about this particular visit; chatting incessantly about random facts I could care nothing about, whilst we rode the train. I nodded every now and again politely, giving just the necessary hint that I was actually listening, but what I was really doing was planning my escape. I noticed that the train had gone further into the outer layers of the circles surrounding the Great Tower where we had never been allowed before.

  “We’re here,” he jumped up excitedly.

  “And where is here?” I asked.

  Ignoring my question, “There is someone I can’t wait for you to meet.”

  The train doors opened and we walked up to a small platform containing a door with many numbers on it. He pushed a button for Number 62. An outlet opened in the side of the wall. Extending his wrist, he scanned; ‘Welcome, Mr. Black.’ I did the same; ‘Welcome, Mrs. Black.’ That was the day I found out the partnership was official and had gone though; my identity even further removed than when I arrived. At least I have a name now, I thought bitterly. Mason turned to look at me, evidently surprised by this as well. I avoided his gaze and looked back at the platform we had just walked up.

  The door slid open, interrupting the uncomfortable direction the journey was starting to take. ‘Access granted.’ We walked through to another platform, which descended what felt like a few floors. It stopped at a similar platform leading down towards a small garden. Looking around, a single row of identically neat little houses stretched in a circumference around us. A well-built man and a sweet smiling, blonde-haired petite woman awaited us.

  Mason started hollering boyishly and leapt down the platform to the stone steps leading into a delightful garden. I couldn’t help but smile. Bear hugs with gruff acceptance of masculinity from the man brought a small laugh to my throat. Getting a little bit closer, Mason turned to introduce us, “Ariet, this is Thor. He is a Guardian at the Great Tower.” I cringed. Thor was the big, surly and, frankly, quite rude Guardian I met on my way to the first medical the previous week. “Thor, this is Ariet. I think you two have met before.”

  He approached me slowly, summing me up in his every move. “Ariet,” he nodded somewhat courteously.

  I nodded back without saying a word, Mason never taking his eyes off me. Thor looked quite different out of his uniform, handsome maybe, but I still didn’t care for him much. He turned towards the lady standing just beside him. “This is my partner, Jules.”

  “Hello, Ariet. Welcome to our Houselet.” Linking arms with me, she led me down the path towards their dwelling. “Can I get you something to drink?” she offered sweetly.

  “Water is fine, thank you.” Their home was filled with bright vibrant colors, flowers lining every window shelf available. I immediately felt the happiness and warmth in their home.

  “Lunch will be served soon, make yourself comfortable,” She said warmly. I sat at the table which had been neatly laden for four; everything was mismatched but full of color. Thor and Mason made their way towards the table. Thor muttering something I just couldn’t make out. Mason looked slightly uncomfortable.

  Breaking the silence, I smiled superficially at Thor, “How long have you and Mason known each other?”

  “My whole life,” Mason beamed with affection.

  “Lucky me,” Thor smiled sarcastically, but the fondness in his eyes was undeniable.

  “Mason and Thor were raised together in the Great Tower. Their mothers were in the same Breeding program,” Jules explained.

  I gasped, “Where are they now, your parents?” The shock on my face silenced the room.

  Thor banged his glass on the table, “You haven’t told her? What is wrong with you, Mason?”

  “Don’t lecture me, Thor, I just needed some time.”

  “Well, she knows now,” Thor replied tersely.

  “Could you please stop speaking as if I am not sitting here? Knows what exactly? Where are your parents?” I repeated my question.

  “They were terminated,” Mason whispered sadly. I felt faint. “They were looking for a particular gene from both of our parents, we didn’t have it. Our mothers were allowed to carry full term as I had a new gene they were interested in, and Thor expressed a gene previously switched off in humans. That is why I have been selected for this breeding program, whilst Thor exhibited superior signs of strength and agility and is now a Guardian for the Great Tower. We grew up together in the Children’s Centre until we reached maturity.

  “Thor and I were subjects of vast amounts of testing, trying to establish how we exhibited the expression of these genes. Subsequently, once they were done with us, Thor was assigned to Guardian protection, where his strength could be fully utilized, and I…” His voiced dropped off, “And I, well, I was matched with a Breeder who has the same genetic profile.”

  “Does your Grandmother know?” I asked tentatively. “Evelyn?” I repeated. “Surely she could have saved your parents?”

  Jules voice whispered gently, “It was Evelyn who made the decision.”

  We continued the meal in silence. Lunch consisted of roasted beef, potatoes, jellied pineapple and a herbed vegetable I had never seen before. Inwardly, I felt as if a bomb had been dropped. Only now did I realize the gravity of my situation. I helped Jules wash up in her small but immaculate kitchen whilst Mason and Thor went outside to talk.

  “It’s not all bad,” Jules said. I remained silent. “Sometimes arranged parings can work. I’ve seen it happen.”

  “But sometimes they don’t, and we also have the fact that we are in the Breeding program, and we could be terminated, or our offspring could be terminated, to contend with,” I responded, probably a little bit more harshly than I should’ve.

  “I know,” she said gently.

  “I just don’t understand. How could his Grandmother have done that to them, to Mason in particular?”

  “Evelyn is Mother Creator. She believes that the whole survival of the human race rests on her and the twelve Elders’ shoulders.” She explained.

  “What do you believe?” I quizzed her.

  “I think that we have survived for over two centuries after the Great Illness, and we have flourished. We have worked our way back into technology and medicine that we lost when we almost became extinct. We owe what we have now and how we survive now to her and the Elders.”

  “It’s how we are forced to survive that makes me uncomfortable. More than that even,” I couldn’t let it go.

  She sighed, “Ariet. Please don’t cause trouble for Mason, if you can help it, I mean. Not only is he part of the Breeding project, against his will, but he is in line to take over Evelyn’s place, as a direct descendant, should he survive the Breeding program. He can make changes then. You can be at his side, guiding him to make the right decisions. He is a good man. You are both in this situation together,” she continued. “Help one another. Maybe even one day you will grow to love one another.”

  “I don’t even know him.”

  “Exactly. Why don’t you start by trying to get to know him?” she pushed further.

  Switching topics, so I could process this conversation later, I commented, “You have a lovely view. It’s different to ours.”

  “Thank you. It’s not real you know.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “It’s a projected image of what was here long before we ever came into existence. If you get close enough, you can stick your hand through the image; it’s projected light, that’s all. Thor showed me once when he was out on one of his patrols.”

  “What’s behind it then?” I asked curiously.

  “A wall, a very big wall.”


  “A wall for what? To keep people out?”

  “Maybe to keep us in.” She shrugged and turned away to stack the dishes.

  The train ride back was quiet. Mason and I each in our own thoughts. The tiny parcel Jules had given me to open at home only, privately, was nestled safely in my pocket. Despite my current resentment to being held captive, I found an easiness and comfort with them, which made me long even more for my family back home.

  “I’m sorry you had to find out that way. About my parents, I mean.” Mason broke the silence.

  “Why didn’t you just tell me?”

  “I didn’t want to frighten you even more.”

  “More than what, than being taken against my will and forced to live this life, away from my family?” Mason sighed and looked out the window in exasperation. “You were right though,” I said dejectedly. “I am more frightened now that I know the Leader of the New World, the woman that determines our fate, is a murderer.”

  “Please don’t say that, Ariet,” tears laced his eyes. “I know what she is, but she believes in what she is doing. She is also my only remaining blood relative.”

  “I’m sorry, Mason. It’s just hard for me to understand how you can love her after what she has done. You don’t know family like I do,” I said sadly. “I wish you did. It is more than words can describe.”

  He looked away from me. The train neared the platform, “It’s late. We need to scan before lights out.” With that, he got up and walked away.

  Chapter 9

  I felt increasingly stressed over the next few days as the week of conception was drawing near. I had made the decision of natural conception, but I didn’t know how I was going to go through with it. These thoughts had begun to consume me, and I had even had an incident where Mason had been alerted by a Carer at the medical centre over results of that morning’s scan.