“You felt it was important! And make no mistake, it was your plan. That imbecile obeys you like a trained dog, so it could not have conceivably been his idea.”
“It had to be done,” he said more emphatically. “The information I received out of South Korea was too important to ignore. The Keeper chose not to put resources into it. I did what had to be done. Command has been dropping the ball more and more these days.”
“By hiding in an abandoned missile silo in the middle of the mountains?” She raised her voice. “By stalking our communication channels and popping up whenever it suits you?” Baji shook her head and turned away. “I have known you since the Inquisitions. You have never been predictable. In a way, that made you the most human of us all. And Sonya paid the price.”
“It always goes back to Sonya, does it not?” Tao snapped. “People die in war. Edward died. Do you think I did not mourn him?”
She stalked back toward him. “Yes, it always goes back to Sonya. Edward died on a mission in the line of duty. He accepted the risks. You had twenty years with him. Sonya was just coming into her own. She was going to be one of my greatest hosts, and Roen robbed me of her potential. She left Metropol to save him. He was the reason she was captured. She died for your idiot host because he had a brain freeze and went after his stupid girlfriend.”
Tao frowned. “The stupid girlfriend that is your current host? With the way you treat humans, maybe you should fight for the Genjix.”
Baji’s left hook just missed Roen’s nose. Fortunately, with the sluggish control the Quasing had with their hosts, Tao blocked it, if barely.
Baji moved her face very close to his, rage flashing in her eyes. “How dare you!”
Tao had sharp words at the tip of his tongue but he stopped himself from going further. “I apologize, Baji. Sonya meant a lot to Roen as well. His guilt still consumes him.”
“As it should.” Baji walked away and sat back down on the couch. She looked up at the tall rounded walls that used to house a nuclear missile and then at the picture frames that lined the wall. There was one of Jill, four of Jill and Roen, and nearly a dozen of Cameron and Jill. At the far end, opposite the entrance, hung a map of Earth. Several dozen push pins of assorted colors dotted the landscape. There was another smaller map of the eastern seaboard. It too had several pins stuck into it.
Baji hesitated and grimaced. “I like what you have done with the place,” she said finally. “At least he is not as much of a slob anymore.”
Roen shrugged. “He even washes the dishes every night.”
“That is because she is not around to clean up.”
Baji finished appraising the room and took a seat on the couch. “So did you find what you were looking for? Is this information worth not being in the fight?”
Tao put his hands together, mimicking how Roen posed when he was deep in thought. In truth, Tao could have Roen stand on his head and still think just as clearly, but he enjoyed acting human when he was in control. “Remember the theory I had two years ago? The one everyone mocked?
Baji smirked. “Which one? Past couple of years, you’ve become a grocery stand tabloid.”
“The one with-”
Jill’s phone beeped and then nearly a dozen messages appeared. She frowned and looked up at the metal walls. “How is reception here?”
Tao shrugged. “There is a signal repeater set up for his phone’s frequency. Everything else is a crap shoot.”
She went over the texts and gasped. “I need to get back!” She stood up and shook her head violently. Jill’s eyes glazed over for a moment before they refocused; she looked confused. Her expression slowly changed to one of concern.
“Oh, my God,” she gasped, scrambling for her jacket.
Tao grabbed her elbow. “What is going on?”
She bent down and put on her heels. “The Genjix just crippled the Atlantis off the coast of southeast China. There are a hundred Prophus on board and two hundred support personnel. It’s our last flagship.”
“What was it doing there?” he demanded. “The South China Sea has been under Genjix control for the past five years.”
Jill shook her head. “I’m not sure. Only thing I know was they had to rendezvous with a team embedded on the mainland.” She hurried toward the exit, stopped, walked back to Roen and gave him a quick kiss on the mouth. “That’s for saving my life.” She broke off and ran out the door.
Tao ran to the exit and called after her as she was leaving. “What is Command going to do?”
She turned back. “They’re mounting a rescue mission.” She paused. “Roen, Dylan was on board the Atlantis.”
Tao clenched his fists and hollered after her. “Wait. I’m coming with you.”
He closed his eyes and punched himself in the face.
FOUR
TRANSITION
There is much debate among the Quasing about which Earth creature was the worthiest vessel. Many consider it humans for their advanced cognitive thought. I believe that a weakness as free will is a redundant ability in vessels.
Truth is, the Tyrannosaurus rex and their theropod cousins were the greatest land reptiles to ever walk the earth, and they were also the greatest vessel for one sole reason: there was no other creature on this planet blessed with such a harmonious combination of ferocity and feeblemindedness.
Our true Golden Age on Earth was during those millions of years when we ruled through the giant lizards that walked the planet. They did not aid in getting us home, but for that period of time, we were all kings.
Zoras
Devin Watson was having a bad day. An hour ago he was meeting with Prime Minister Wen and Admiral Wu in Beijing for a private lunch, discussing the placement of the South Sea Fleet and the recent military action off the coast of Taiwan. Then he suffered a heart attack and was now lying in a very uncomfortable bed surrounded by a team of doctors at the 301 Military Hospital. The prognosis was not good; he was dying.
“We can circumvent the transplant list and get you a heart immediately,” one of the doctors was saying. “One can be delivered within two hours. We will need to prepare you for surgery right away. You will not last the night without the procedure.”
Devin grabbed the doctor by the sleeve and pulled him close. “How long before I can get out of this bloody room?” he said in between labored breaths. “My work is too important to leave unattended. What are my odds of a full recovery?”
The delay is unacceptable.
The doctor hesitated. “Sir, this is your third heart attack in five years. At your age, it will be several months before you can leave the hospital. You may never fully recover.”
“I am sorry for my state, Zoras.”
You have been a devout vessel, Devin. However, your frail body betrays us. Your time is at an end. Call the Adonis Vessel.
“We are nearing a critical stage. A transition would surely put the plan at risk.”
I have spoken. Initiate the transfer protocol.
“As you wish, my Guardian.”
That could only mean one thing. Devin looked down at his broken body and grimaced. He had hoped to hold up a few more years. The ProGenesis project was his conception after all. It would have been glorious to see it through.
Devin waved the doctors aside and beckoned his aide Amanda. “Get me a glass of Pappy’s bourbon, neat, and a Habanos Cuban cigar.” The team of physicians protested, telling him it wasn’t advisable in his current state. One even had the audacity to remind him that this was a hospital and that smoking wasn’t allowed. Devin zeroed in on the fool and spoke in clear Mandarin. “If I had a gun right now, I’d shoot you. Now, all of you, get out!”