“What is a xeno?" James asked. “Did you create it?”
“The word xeno is Latin for other,” Dr. Shepherd said, “and no, I didn't create it.”
“Tell me how this happened.” James stared at the doctor with desperation. "Please.”
The doctor sat on his couch, while James crouched slightly on the wall.
“I founded the Shepherd Research Center to fight disease and try to do something to help the people of this disastrous city,” Dr. Shepherd said. “It was only opened a few years when the High Council noticed the doctors and staff I had working for me. They used Civic Protection and took control of my own research center by force. They threatened people I cared about. I had no choice, but I didn't know what they were wanting with it.
It wasn't until they gave us the creature. Ares, Dante's brother and a dangerous member of the High Council, brought it to us in a canister. It was unlike anything we'd ever seen. The creature was an organic version of nanites some of us had been working on in the center. This creature required something else, however.
Their orders were simple. Make the creature able to bond with a person on a cellular level, so they have a symbiotic relationship.”
“Why would they want to do that?” James asked.
“Is it really so hard to understand?" Dr. Shepherd asked. “Look at yourself. You're stronger, and faster than a normal person. Your body is literally reinforced by metal. I'm not even sure what you're completely capable of. Imagine a creature like that on every single Civic Protection soldier.” James immediately understood the implication. Super soldiers that could heal almost instantly, soldiers that could survive even a building being dropped on top of them.
“Do you know where the xeno came from?”
“No,” Dr. Shepherd said, “I really have no idea. What I do know is it can adapt to any environment, which means you can adapt to any as well. You're immune to poison, and disease. The one problem is the reason the High Council wanted it destroyed. After everything we did, it formed a will of its own. It was already a living creature, but through our tests it became a sentient creature. It formed actual intelligence.
“We left too much up to chance when we recoded it, breaking it down and building it back up to become dependent on a human host for survival. The prototype was developed, but it wouldn't attach itself to anyone. It wouldn’t even respond to us. We eventually realized it was ignoring us. Anyone who was exposed to it was ignored, yet it responded to certain external stimuli. It saw something different in you, apparently.”
“So this is permanent,” James said, “I can't get it off of me?”
“To separate you from the xeno would kill both of you. Your body was altered when it attached itself to you. You need it to survive as well.” The doctor had a serious, somewhat regretful look.
“I was able to make blades with my hands earlier,” James said.
“I'm sure you can do more than that,” Dr. Shepherd said. “With the xeno there would be no need for guns, weapons or equipment. Your limitations are your imagination.”
“I can sense people, things. I can see things with my mind like a sixth sense; how is that possible?”
“The symbiote courses throughout your entire body, just like water. It might have awakened abilities inherent to all humans that have yet to be untapped, or unlocked.” The doctor paused for effect. “I'm honestly not sure. I’m sure there are abilities you have that I don’t even know of. We never got a chance to study the creature attached to a person. Like I said, it has a mind of its own."
“Why can’t I remember anything?” James asked.
“Your mind is probably in a form of shock,” Dr. Shepherd said. “Your body and mind went through a traumatic event. Your mind and consciousness were bonded with another creature, as well as your body. It is probably a way for your mind to cope with the event. You share your mind with that xeno now, and its thoughts and instincts. Those animal instincts it has may help you in times, but they can also hurt you. If you ever lose control, you could literally become the creature that the High Council was trying to destroy.”
James shook his head. It was hard to believe, even though he’d experienced the creature pushing him, trying to take over.
“They destroyed that building to kill the xeno,” James said, “and everyone who knew about it?”
“Everyone who knew about it and didn’t understand its true purpose. Most people who were involved were in it for the chance to better humanity, cure disease. All the great things the creature is capable of providing. The truth was kept from everyone who was either nonessential or who didn’t share the same ideals as the High Council. None of the traitors were there; those that were loyal to the council and Father escaped the building’s destruction. Ironically, it didn’t matter. The xeno escaped anyways.”
“So all those people,” James said, “they died for nothing?”
“No,” Dr. Shepherd said as he stood up, “they died for you. They were sacrificed so that you could live, so that you could have the power to actually do something.”
“Who is the High Council?" James asked. “Who is Father?”
“The High Council was formed after the collapse fifty years ago. They created Civic Protection and took control of the city. I don’t know who they are, but they have plans. Plans for Civic Protection, plans for the xeno. Dante might be in the High Council, but he's a lower ranking member. They control him. There are others, and they refer to each other as brothers and sisters, as a family. They are led by Father. No one’s ever seen Father, although we all hear about him daily on the vids.” He paused for a moment in contemplation.
“Why has no one done anything before? How could people live like this?”
“Because they have absolute control,” Dr. Shepherd said. “People live their lives in fear of Civic Protection. In fear of retribution for saying the wrong thing or being affiliated with the wrong person. People disappear in the night. Parents are taken away from their own children. So many stories have become cautionary tales. Public records and history is destroyed every five years. Everyone knows someone who has just disappeared. Everyone also knows someone else Civic Protection has taken in for indoctrination.
"As free as some people feel, they don’t realize how closely they're being watched. The city has never needed a strong video surveillance system because there are soldiers on every corner. Every locked door requires an identification card for entry that is connected to the city’s data systems. To buy food you need that same identification card. Your salary is watched, and so are job statistics. Your grades in school and physical performance. All the athletic programs in the schools are designed for potential CP recruits.
The bottom line is that people are held in a vice of fear and control. Anyone who rises up is instantly crushed. The only ones who are left are the ones who won’t speak up, the ones who hide in the corner and wait for someone else to save them.” The regretful look passed over Dr. Shepherd’s face again. James saw in the man a sense of emptiness where hope once stood. He felt he understood the man a little better.
“I won’t be so difficult to crush,” James said. His fists clenched as he spoke, his jaw tightening with a low fury beneath the surface of his eyes.
“You can fight them," Dr. Shepherd said, “but it will be a long road for you. There is one thing I can do to help you.”
He left the room, and James followed him to a small office filled with metal boxes and clutter. In the middle were several vid screens, disposable ones like James had seen at the library that were designed to hold limited amounts of data. The doctor opened a desk drawer, pulling out a small data screen. He held it over another one, activating them both.
“I’ve uploaded all the information I can give you, without being discovered, to this data screen,” he said as he tapped the smaller one. “It is limited, but it should be enough to get you started. You’ll need to be unseen. Use the
xeno. Learn to use it to conceal yourself.”
“What about Dante?”
“I honestly don’t know that much about him. I have no idea where he lives. No one really knows. You can start with City Hall in Capitol District, however. They operate much of their dealings through the mayor, Callahan. He’s just a puppet for them.” He was pacing nervously. “I’ve known enough and been useful enough to stay alive until now. In fact, meeting you at this moment might have been the only reason I was supposed to stay alive until now.”
“What are you saying?" James asked as he approached the man.
“I’ve done nothing for so long,” Dr. Shepherd said, “hoping that the one who would save us would come. You’ve come at the last hour for our city.” Dr. Shepherd looked away for a moment, something obviously troubling him. “Like I said, they’re planning something. Father’s planning something. I don’t know what, but their endgame is something… something frightening. This isn't just about Dirge, and the five million people in it. This is about humanity. The human race. We’re the last city on the planet, and I think through Civic Protection we’re being engineered to destroy ourselves.” He approached James, putting a hand on his shoulder.
“Give them hope,” Dr. Shepherd, “lead them. They’ve been under the influence of evil for so long; they don’t know how to see the right way.”
“I will,” James said. He was silent as he took the small data screen and put it in his coat pocket. He left the apartment, and walked down the stairs to the lobby, exiting the building. He stared out onto Main Street, heavy with traffic and with life. The sidewalk had become even more crowded with people in this bustling city. People brushed up against him as he stood still, stretching out his senses. He reached out into the mist in his mind’s eye, embracing it fully. He made it a part of him.
Everyone in his mind’s eye was a colorful shadow. They existed as their auras, their souls that pierced this subdimension that he was able to access with his mind. His mind could instantly interpret their colors, their souls. Their states of beings. He read them like codes he only could interpret, understanding who was depressed, or when a person who was overweight and due of a heart attack. He stretched his mind’s eye, viewing as much of the city as he could. The pulse of life in all different colors shone out to him through the layout of the city. The structures echoed through his mind’s eye as well, telling him all their secrets and integrity as well as they could. He let himself absorb it all, and he understood. Dr. Shepherd was not special. He was just one face in a crowd that all shared the same outlook. A crowd that had resigned its fate. Given up hope. How can I save a city with no hope?
5
Christina had been wandering around East District for hours. Dirge was vast, the last known city in the world. At least, as far as they knew. No one had ever communicated with anyone outside the city. This city was all that was left from a destructive, world-shattering war. It was forbidden for anyone to leave the city, although they couldn’t have if they tried. The walls encircled Dirge in all its glory. No one could even get close to the walls due to the Civic Protection guards. She wondered if the war had caused the dimness of the sky.
She’d written a report on the sky once, why it was only as bright as evening once was. The city of twilight, a romantic way of saying people screwed up somehow. There were several theories. One was that a dozen nuclear bombs had permanently damaged the atmosphere. Another theory said it was the result of a natural, environmental disaster. Some had even said that they were all trapped in this city as punishment for humanity’s crimes. That’s a depressing thought.
She sat in the back of a bus that was following Main Street, staring out the windows at all the buildings as they passed by. Even in East District the buildings were incredibly tall. The newer buildings, especially the structures built in Capital district, were marvels of architecture. Enough steel, rock and glass to make anyone feel insignificant. One thing that always struck her, though, is that no matter how new the buildings were they always looked dirty. Incredibly dirty. Even in East and Capitol Districts where there was much upkeep. All throughout the city there was a layer of dust and grime over everything. Maybe we are in a giant prison, she thought as she leaned her head against the bus window, watching all the people pass by.
There were hundreds of people on the sidewalks and streets in between the buildings. People moved through their lives, surviving. Unlike Lower and Old District, there were no homeless or destitute in here, or Capital District for that matter. Any time they appeared Civic Protection would relocate them, or worse.
Most of the people scurried along the sidewalks, gray or black colored suits headed to their offices. The most successful businesses resided in East and Capital Districts. Civic Protection's presence was the strongest in those, however.
She saw a small group of soldiers standing over a man. He was probably in his thirties, and in a gray business suit. He was on the ground, holding his side. There were splatters of blood around him, on the side of the street. Another soldier with a blank expression started kicking the man again as the bus passed. She closed her eyes to not see it as her bus passed them.
Civic Protection soldiers were a regular part of life for everyone in Dirge. Everywhere Christina looked there was the common dark blue or black uniform of a Civic Protection soldier. Amidst the gray and black suits dwelt their enforcers. They were stationed on every corner of every street, watching. Christina was fortunate to have never dealt with them directly, but she’d heard stories. She was always told, “If a Civic Protection officer took you in for questioning, you probably won’t ever return.” It didn’t matter whether it was because the officer was ordered to out of national security, or if they abducted someone for their own gain or lust. The thought made her shudder.
People who fought the CP ended up disappearing as well. The media always praised the mayor and the High Council, but most people knew better. No one said anything, however. They were afraid. The best thing to do was make the most out of their lives while trying to get over the tragedies. Take the good with the bad.
Her eye caught one of the many large vid screens attached to a large building. It was common in both East and Capitol Districts to have them on every street. An anchorman was giving a morning report on city events, which would be followed by a speech by the mayor and some Civic Protection officers. The bus had stopped at a red light in front of another vid screen with headlines scrolling across it; “...and Marlon Topps, the man who was arrested yesterday for the murder of a Civic Protection officer, was sentenced to death this morning.” The large vid screen was so loud Christina could hear it clearly even on the bus. “His execution will be carried out at midnight tonight. In other news Civic Protection and the High Council is calling for witnesses regarding an attack on Civic Protection officers that occurred early this morning. It appeared as if the officers were killed by a wild animal, but Mayor Callahan said in a press release that investigators suspect it was someone trying make it appear as animal due to the improbability of a creature breaching the city’s walls and making it all the way to East District without being caught. We’ll be watching this case as it progresses.”
The report struck her as the bus started moving again through the intersection, which now had a green light. More to her surprise, most other people on the bus as well as many of the pedestrians passing the vid screens had stopped to watch the report. The idea that either a person or an animal had killed four Civic Protection officers was more than a little unusual. It was especially exciting that it could be an animal of some sort. People in Dirge had never seen an animal other than a dog or cat, and even that was becoming rare. The city had its own agricultural system in the fields near the walls. No one in Dirge had eaten any kind of meat since the collapse. Most people believed that the world was a barren wasteland outside the city. Due to the collapse, there weren’t any memories left of the world before Dirge. Even if it was an animal, she t
hought, how could it have gotten over the wall? The city walls were at least fifty feet tall, surrounding the city so no one could go in or out. It was for their protection. At least, that's what everyone is told.
The university was only a few blocks away. Christina knew she should be back, but everything she saw was a reminder of him still. It was just too hard. His presence still surrounded her, like she’d been lied to and he was still alive somehow. Maybe this was normal, but she didn’t feel like he was dead. It felt like he was still out there, maybe on his way back to see her. They said it would hit me eventually, she thought, but when will that be? As she gazed out the window, she pulled her face back. She was frightened.
The bus was moving slowly through Main Street in front of the East District library, and it was unmistakable. He was wearing a gray trench coat and had very short hair, but it was him. James is alive. He was just standing there, in the middle of the crowd. His eyes were closed, and people were walking all around him. He was oblivious to anyone brushing up against him or commenting that he should move. Her first thought was that he wasn’t real. His second thought overpowered the first one however; she had to get to him.
She got up and started moving her way to the front of the bus. It was crowed, and she had to slide past people standing, waiting for their stops. “I have to get off,” she called out to the driver. She continued to push her way up, and finally she was at the door. “Please open this door,” she said, looking at the driver with desperation. The bus slowed to a stop, the traffic ahead was backed up anyways. The driver looked at her, not knowing what was wrong, but feeling sympathetic with her as he opened the door. “Thank you,” she said as she ran out the bus.
She ran in the direction of where she’d seen him standing. She started calling out his name as tears streaked down her face. She called to him frantically, hoping he would hear. She pushed against the crowd as she tried to find him, finally arriving at the spot where he was standing. He was gone. Am I going crazy? She asked herself as she looked around. As crazy as it had sounded, she’d seen him. He was standing right here. Her hope returned as she refused to believe he was gone, and she left that sidewalk knowing he was alive.
City of Twilight: Rise of the Hunter (The Vanguard Chronicles Book 1) Page 4
