“And, that’s when they started the blood bank studies?” Sean asked, with great interest.
“Precisely. Many people began to notice these seemingly ageless people. And, scientists began to wonder, why are some people aging ‘the normal way,’ while other people don’t appear to age much at all? To find the answer, scientists sampled blood banks, to get a baseline, a sense of what DNA sequences were prevalent in cities across the U.S., to compare it to the existing data, the DNA that centenarians had."
“So, that's how they found the outliers?" Jai asked.
"Yes," Kevin said. “They hadn’t anticipated it. They thought there would be differences between the two sets of data, but they didn’t expect to stumble upon an entirely new species. But, there it was. In cities near and far, with no geographic pattern or significance, there were outliers, donors whose DNA was distinctly dissimilar to any DNA sequences the world’s ever known. For the first time, scientists had a genetic explanation for these beings who weren’t aging: their DNA was not the same as human’s.
"With that revelation came the sentient name, and the clamor for sentient testing. And, the more people tested positive, the more data there was, proving the sheer benefits of being sentient: not only a youthful appearance, but a stronger, more resilient immune system, and significant regenerative abilities. Unlike humans who can only regenerate one organ (the liver), we sentients can regenerate all of our tissues, even after a severe injury."
“Like an axolotl!” Jai exclaimed.
“Yes!” said Kevin, pleasantly surprised. “Precisely like our salamander friends, we can make new neurons, new synapses, that allow us to regenerate a missing limb, organs, bone, even parts of our brain. Sentients can bounce back, even from paralysis.”
“All that?” Zin asked. “It’s like we’re not even related to humans.”
“But, we are,” said Sean. “We share about 95% DNA sequence identity between our two species.”
"Yes,” said Kevin. “But, that small 5% difference is all the difference.” Kevin looked at Zin. “It cost Dr. Jensen and nearly your life.”
Zin was flustered. ”But, why me? Are they going after all of Dr. Jensen’s subjects?” Jai could sense Zin pushing away. Why can’t they just leave me the hell out of it, Zin thought. Jai wondered if “they” meant the people after Dr. Jensen, or the three of them, talking to Zin in the study. His tone was disdainful. “Why care that much about my blood?"
"Because. You’re Patient X, the Eldest, presumably the most developed of our kind,” Jai said. “If there are any answers to be found in Dr. Jensen’s research, it’s most likely in your blood, your tissue. So, they’re targeting you. And, regardless of why, we need to address the fact that your blood and tissue are deteriorating. Your white blood cells are dwindling, and the tissue samples aren’t regenerating.”
Kevin reiterated, “I can’t stress enough how serious this is. This is the first inkling, the first sign that being sentient may not be all it's cracked up to be. Sure, we may look good by all outward appearances, but, Zin, you are proof that there may be a crack in that polished exterior.”
Jai added, “And, now that the incident’s happened, it’s safe to assume that they — whoever they are — want nothing more than to break us.”
“Yes,” Kevin said, leaning forward. Arms still folded, he squinted, eyeing Zin. “You're what, 55 now? You may look like a 30-year-old who’s taken some hits, but, if things keep going the way they're going, you may not look even that good a week from now.”
"Humph." Zin shrugged his shoulders, clearly unfazed.
Jai laughed and said, "I doubt Zin cares about his looks. Lake Baikal’s the closest thing this guy’s had to a mirror…for years." Zin smirked, not interested in denying it.
"Well, vain or not, it makes no difference,” Kevin said. Kevin was exasperated. His thoughts shouted in Jai’s mind. What an obstinate fool! Being stubborn’s going to kill him. Kevin took a deep breath, and got down to brass tacks. “Take this seriously, Zin. Death waits for no one."
"Death?" Sean looked up, surprised. "It's that bad?"
"Yes, it is." Kevin's voice was flat, matter-of-fact. “Dr. Jensen didn’t know why, but the data shows that the quality of Zin’s blood and tissue are orders of magnitude inferior to those of a healthy sentient’s. What’s more, the deterioration is exponential. Those are the facts. Any number of factors could be the cause. I need to do more testing to figure out why. In the meantime, you need nourishment. Immediately, Zin. Both inside and out. We need to begin a treatment regimen. Find a suitable sentient for a blood transfusion. But, that’s not all. Keep in mind, if the centenarian studies have taught us anything, it’s that DNA’s not everything. You’ve barely eaten since your arrival here. And, I’m not only talking about human sustenance, Zin. You need to siphon. When was the last time you did?”
“About a year,” Zin said.
“And the quality, the prey?”
“A deer, by the lake.”
Kevin shook his head. “That’s dangerous. You may have been a recluse all these years, but you’re no spring chicken. You know better. Besides, I’ve seen Dr. Jensen’s notes. I know he warned you. He told you to siphon. You may think you can go long periods without siphoning, but make no mistake. It’s critical to our survival. In that way, we’re similar to other animals in the animal kingdom, like the murex snail that has an exterior shell with over a hundred spines to keep it safe. Nature’s also given our species extra protection. Our enhanced genome allows us to siphon energy and regenerate tissue; that’s a form of armor, a profound amount of added protection. But, like the murex snail, inside we’re just as soft as a human. We have to eat. We have to siphon energy to survive. We have a siphon, and we need to use it. All animals need energy to survive, Zin. And, given the seriousness of your condition, you have no time to waste. You need the best energy source: a human or a sentient. Take your pick.”
With that, Zin went silent, his icy blue eyes staring straight through Kevin, not seeing him, not seeing anyone. Bullshit, Zin thought. The full force of his rejection rammed into Jai’s mind. He grabbed his shirt and marched out of the room.
Kevin looked at Jai and Sean, then unfolded his arms. Jai raised her eyebrows and sighed. “Well, what can we do to help?” she asked. “Tell us more about the treatments we can explore.”
Kevin nodded. “Zin needs to make changes, within and without. I’ve got the easy part, the first course of treatment. There, sentient-to-sentient transplantation is our best bet, our only hand to play."
Jai opened her mouth to volunteer, but Sean interrupted. “Sign me up," he said, already taking off his shirt.
"Good. I'm glad you're willing, Sean." Kevin walked back around the bench. "Just give me a moment to take a sample, see if you're compatible. In the meantime, Jai, you’ve got the unenviable task of convincing Zin to help himself. He needs to make a change, to siphon again. It may make a difference, perhaps help him with the transplantation. We won’t know if he won’t try.”
“Understood,” Jai said. “He needs all the help he can get.” Jai walked to the stairs. Not three steps up and she could hear Zin, throwing his books and clothes into his pack. Goddamn scientist. What does he know? All of them, with their damn needles, their endless testing. Jai knocked lightly on the door. Here we go, he raged, grunting at her.
"Not again," Jai said, thwarting off any bright ideas. She opened the door and reminded, "Your Winchester's locked up tight." He smirked at her, a defiant look on his face. Jai walked over. She stood beside him, motioning for him to sit on the bed. He might've cleaned up nicely, but there was no washing away the wild spirit bucking inside of him. "Please," she urged. He took a seat. She joined him. "I know, it's not what you wanted to hear, but, giving up, running away?” He stayed silent, in body and mind. “I didn’t think you were the type.”
Zin scanned Jai’s face and body. “You wouldn’t understand. Look at you. You’re fine. Your prognosis is peachy keen,” he said, mo
ckingly.
“That’s true. I’m fine. But, that doesn’t mean death’s not a real possibility for me, for all of us. It’s no reason to run off and squirrel away.”
“I’m not running away, Jai. I’m running toward the life I choose to live, the life I’ve always lived.”
“Maybe that used to be true. But, it’s not anymore. You were there just as much as I was. You saw it for yourself. They’re after you. Even if you move somewhere else, they’ll find you eventually. And when they do, what kind of life do you think you’ll have, locked away, in some lab somewhere?”
“What choice do I have? Either I’m a prisoner now, or I’m a prisoner later.”
Jai looked at him, despondently. “A prisoner, now? I was under the impression you were here, of your own free will.”
“Yeah, I was willing to participate, when Kevin said he only needed a handful of samples. But, that’s obviously changed. When will it end, Jai? I agreed to work with Dr. Jensen five years ago because it paid, for the freedom it afforded me. But, now, there’s nothing in it for me. You heard it yourself, Kevin said more tests, now transfusions, will follow if I stay.”
“And, what follows if you leave?” Her voice was stern, angry. “Death, that’s what.”
“Either I die now or I die later.”
“Ugh!” Jai threw her hands in the air and stood up. “Stop being so flippant about it. Death’s just a possibility right now. Give Kevin a chance. Maybe he can find a way to reverse it, help your blood and tissue to regenerate again. If you don’t try, you’ll never know. And, if you leave? Then death’s a certainty.” She walked to the door and held the knob in her hand. “Take a good look around you, Zin. You’ve got people who care, right here, in front of you. You need friendships, true companionship. Your life may literally depend on it. If I were you, I’d stay and fight.”
She shut the door and stomped downstairs.
“Went that well, did it?” Sean asked, smiling at her. He was waiting for her, eating a ham and swiss crêpe in the kitchen.
Jai slumped her head. “He’s exhausting.”
“Here, maybe this will revive you,” Sean said, handing her a plate. He pointed to another crêpe, still warm in the skillet. “Kevin’s still working away in the study.”
Jai nodded and ate, strangely famished. “Thanks,” she mumbled, her mouth full. She walked to the fridge and poured herself a glass of orange juice, then spun around. “Now, care to explain yourself?”
“What, you want the recipe?” He looked at her with big green eyes.
“Don’t play coy, Sean. I saw what you did there. I was going to volunteer, see if my blood was compatible.”
“I know.” He grinned. “Don’t. Please don’t hate me, Jai. It’s not that I want to stand in your way, or stop you from making your own decisions. Just, please. Don’t give your blood if you don’t have to.”
She shook her head. “If there were ever an appropriate time to give of myself, now would be it. You heard Kevin. Zin could die.”
“Yeah. I heard that. But, he also said that any sentient’s blood would do, so long as it’s compatible. Mine might be.”
“True. I just didn’t think you cared that much about Zin, that’s all.”
“I don’t,” he said sharply. Jai cocked an eye at him. Sean waved his hand for a moment to explain. “I mean, I care insofar as his survival may protect all sentients. But, I didn’t donate my blood for that reason. I did it for you.”
“So, you cut me off, kept me from volunteering, for my benefit?”
“Yes. Listen,” Sean said. His expression softened as he pulled her in close. “My blood’s known. I’ve been tested. My name’s been labeled. Someone’s probably gotten their hands on my blood by now. My genome’s already been sequenced. But, yours?” He ran his hands along her neck, and traced her shoulder blades lightly with his fingers. “You’re still unknown. You’re not in any database. You’ve never given your blood or tissue to anyone. And, I’ll be damned if you do it now, on account of him.”
“Well, you better hope you’re compatible. Because those reasons won’t stop me, if you’re not. This is the first chance I’ve got, to help someone else with my blood, and the patient’s actually willing to take it.”
“Willing?” Sean laughed. “About as willing as a bull bucking in a practice pen.” Jai glared at him. “Okay, okay. I get it,” he said, throwing his hands up in the air. “If I’m not a match, I won’t try to stop you.”
Chapter 32
2121
A day later and the results were in. “Sean’s a match,” Kevin announced at the start of dinner.
Yes! Sean thought, as he plated a pork chop. “That’s good news,” he said, nonchalantly. Jai stifled a laugh.
Kevin raised a glass of wine. “To new beginnings,” he said. Sean and Jai raised their glasses, ready to meet his.
Zin sat, motionless, then raised his glass, a smug look on his face. He cleared his throat. “Before we toast, I’ve got an announcement to make.” The three of them looked at him, skeptically. “I’ve decided to siphon again.”
“That’s wonderful news, Zin!” Jai was glad he’d finally decided to end his toddler-like behavior.
“Yes, good for you, Zin!” Kevin raised his glass higher, clanging it against theirs. Jai raised her glass, too, but Sean held his glass, motionless.
“Who?” Sean asked pointedly, with a staccato to his deep voice.
Zin looked at Sean and smiled. “Jai.”
“Ugh.” It escaped Kevin’s lips before he’d had a chance to fashion a more eloquent response. All the same, it summed everything up. Jai could feel the anger, the electricity blazing in Sean’s eyes as he stared Zin down. Kevin toasted anyway, with a big swig of wine. Sean clenched his fists on the edge of his chair. Jai placed a hand on Sean’s shoulder and pushed, easing him back into his seat.
Zin took a haughty tone. “Assuming, of course, that Jai would be willing.”
“Don’t you dare assume, you prick!” Sean yelled.
“Now, now,” Jai said, patting Sean’s back. “It’s a figure of speech.”
“Not to him, it’s not!”
Jai shook her head, trying to shake loose the headache that was creeping in. She answered Zin. “Yes, I will.”
“What?!” Sean yelled.
“You heard me,” Jai whispered.
“But, Jai —”
Jai cut Sean off, the pain in her head intensifying. “I trust you, Sean, to not go back on your word.”
Sean pushed back his chair, scraping it against the floor, and stormed out of the dining room. Silence filled the room once more. Kevin was the first to speak. “Well then.” He swallowed. “Food’s getting cold,” he said, and began slicing his pork chop. Zin joined him, the two of them enjoying the meal that Sean had prepared. Jai placed a forkful on her tongue. The unctuous flavor was coated by the bitter taste of Sean’s thoughts in her mouth. It didn’t matter that Sean had left the room. His thoughts still penetrated her mind. Just wait, just wait till I tell Zin I won’t be giving him my blood anymore. But, won’t Jai do it then? Ugh! Sean was furious. That asshole can rot in hell, for all I care. All through dinner, Sean’s thoughts pierced Jai’s mind, saucing her palate, no matter how perfectly Sean had cooked the meal.
“If you’ll excuse me,” Jai said, dabbing a napkin to her mouth. She walked out of the room until the sound of Kevin’s and Zin’s conversation became a distant murmur. She found Sean in the sala by the garden. Seeing it again, Jai had to remind herself, This is the Long Island sala, not the one in Thailand that Mom had used as a model. Sean had set the computerized room to spring mode, to slide the walls open and set the floors to cool. It was cooler than the evening breeze. Jai walked in, the mountain-climbing apparatus still affixed to the wall, but Sean had already moved on, to an old-school punching bag. An image of Zin’s hands on Jai’s body flashed forcefully into her mind, as Sean slugged the bag over and over.
Jai strained to speak, her head t
hrobbing. “I know what you’re thinking….”
“No, you don’t, Jai.”
You’d be surprised, she thought, before pressing on. “If you’re worried Zin’s trying to get in my pants, you’re wrong.”
Sean punched the bag, angrily. “It’s obvious he’s into you.”
“Not for the reason you might think, Sean.” Sean threw off his punching gloves. They fell to the floor. Jai remembered Zin’s question; Zin had asked her, point blank, “When were you born?”
Jai told Sean, “Zin's after something else. He wants to siphon me, to see….” She paused. “To see….” She decided to say it. “If I'm the Eldest.”
He caught the punching bag, stopping it. “If you’re what?!” Sean stared at Jai in shock. He stepped back. “How could you be the Eldest? When you told everyone Joy was your mom, your mom said she gave birth to you at 60. That may be on the high end, but there are so many women giving birth in their late 50s these days. And, besides, all the Patient X publications said Zin was born in 2066. That'd make him 55. How could you be older than 55, if Joy gave birth to you at 60?"
“Well, that's what my mom told everyone at the time. She didn't want anyone to know I'm the Eldest, to protect me."
"And, for good reason," Sean said, nodding. "I don't blame her for lying. But, if you're older than Zin, when were you born?"
"Joy had me when she was 30, in 2020."
Sean choked, then laughed. "You're 71?!"
Jai laughed too. "Yes," she said, eyes darting around the room. It felt strange, to tell another soul.
“Wow, you weren't kidding. Seventy-one. That certainly makes you the Eldest, by a long shot. And, to think, we introduced you to the sentient life? I feel a bit embarrassed now," he said, laughing again. He ran his hand along her cheek and looked Jai deep in the eyes. "I'm sentient, and even I find it hard to believe. We can live to your age and still look 21, like you? It's amazing." He smiled at her, then took her hands in his. "Don't worry. Your secret's safe with me. If you don't want to tell anyone else, I understand."
Obsidian: Birth to Venus (The Obsidian Chronicles Book 1) Page 20
