Clearance
to clear out the Genesis Sector base, Mary drove Jean to the Starlight Organization’s base several miles away. The orange-dressed sun peeked over an immense concrete structure with few windows. The building’s dingy facade let it fade into an industrial area’s background. A large electric fence surrounded the building. Small security cameras sat perched on every corner of the building’s roof and atop every window.
As they pulled up to the base, Jean grinned. Not only had she met her biological parents, but they were amazing. Her father was a wonderful, caring being who accepted her, even though he had nothing to do with her existence. And her mother spent most of her adult life working to protect other species. What could be better than that? Still, Jean felt awkward sitting next to her biological mother. She called Mrs. Anderson her mom and wasn’t sure about the best way to address Mary. Should she call her Mom? Also, Mary didn’t seem to have a warm persona like Mrs. Anderson. I wonder if she’s like me and just takes longer to warm up to people.
After parking the car, Mary stepped outside to speak with some of her men. Jean got out of the car and stood motionless as she was still in shock from everything that happened. A hand rested on her shoulder and she turned around. Azon stood behind her in his human form.
“Jean, you were very brave.”
Jean shrugged. “I didn’t do anything except try to stay alive.”
“Bravery is about more than physically defending yourself. Bravery is about not giving in to fear and doubt.”
Mary returned. “There’s no sign of Agent Smyte.”
Jean scrunched her brows and sighed.
“Don’t worry, Jean. We have our best people searching for Smyte. I’m sure we’ll find him soon.”
Kale inched closer to Mary after reading a message on his phone. “I just received some intel. Smyte’s planning an escape in Krenik’s boat.”
Jamal stepped in front of Kale. “Really, Kale? Why should we believe you? You’re the one who led us straight into the lion’s den.”
“This is not the time to argue with each other. Kale stood with us at the Genesis base and he’s on our side now,” Azon said.
“That’s what’s important,” Mary said. “Look everyone, anti-Xeno practices are illegal. The U.S. government is after Smyte and Gravin. They became rogue and started their own sub-government organization doing human and Xeno experiments. We believe they’re doing it to create a type of superhuman who can help further their goals of achieving world domination. After discovering the experiments, the government ended their employment, but they fled before we could arrest them. Unfortunately, we don’t know everyone involved in their organization, and we suspect there are multiple locations around the world.”
“Um, Mary. Uh, Mom. Can we speak privately?” Jean asked, her voice trembling.
“Sure.” Mary’s eyes misted when Jean called her “Mom.” She led Jean to a small conference room near the lab. “Do you mind if I give you a hug?”
Jean shook her head and rushed into Mary’s arms. Mary held her, tears spilling down her cheeks as she stroked Jean’s hair. They held each other tightly for a couple of minutes.
“I’m so sorry,” Mary whispered, her body shaking. “You have every right to hate me. The story we planted was so terrible. Please know, I never abandoned you.”
“I never hated you. You gave me life, and I knew you did what you felt was best. I have great parents, so things worked out in the end.”
Mary pulled back with her eyes fixed on Jean’s eyes and clasped her hands. “So, tell me. What would you like to discuss?”
“I guess I have questions about my birth and why I ended up in foster care. My parents said someone found me in a park. I was wondering what happened.”
“Well, that’s a long story, but I can give you the short version for now.” Mary sighed as she wiped a tear from her cheek with the back of her hand. “My original plan wasn’t to abandon you in a park. I saw Dr. Gravin as a patient due to fertility issues. A few months after he implanted an embryo in me, one of his former employees contacted me and told me that my husband’s sperm was not used to create the embryo. She explained what Dr. Gravin had done and warned me that you were in danger. She said Gravin planned to take you and use you in experiments. Of course, I definitely didn’t want that to happen. So after you were born, I had an acquaintance claim to find you in a park. Jean, please know I did what I had to do.”
“I understand. I always wondered why you didn’t want me.”
“There was never a time I didn’t want you, but I was happy to see the court approve your adoption when you were thirteen.” Mary winked.
“You knew about that?”
“Let’s just say sources kept me informed. If I couldn’t be in your life, I wanted to at least make sure you were okay. And sometimes I was in the background watching.”
“In the background? Wait, I knew you looked familiar. Was that you? I mean, were you at the museum ten years ago?”
Mary chuckled. “You remember! Yes, that was me. I did a little peeking into your life occasionally to make sure you were okay. Sometimes, it was better to see things with my own eyes,” she said with a wink.
“What about Dr. Gravin? Didn’t he wonder what happened to me?”
Mary grinned. “I told him you were stillborn. I got a fake death certificate and fake medical records through my hospital and government connections. I don’t know if he really believed me, but he didn’t seem to suspect anything until your DNA test pinged the system.”
“I’m starting to regret taking that test.”
“Oh, don’t say that. We got to meet because you took it. Jean, I spent years working for the government fighting against men like Smyte, Gravin, and the Genesis Sector regime. I kept you safe by keeping an eye on you in the background. After your DNA test came in, I sent Agent Walker to make sure you stayed safe.”
Jean scrunched her brows. “Agent Walker?”
’I’ll be right back.” Mary left the room and returned with Jamal. “This is Agent Walker, but you may know him as Jamal.”
“You knew my mother all along? Why…”
Mary’s phone buzzed. “I need to take this call. Agent, please show Jean to a room where she can rest for the evening.” Mary hurried out of the room.
“I’m sorry. I wanted to tell you. I was aware of Kale’s betrayal of Azon, so I couldn’t reveal my identity in case he was still loyal to Agent Smyte.” Jamal guided Jean to a small room with a bed, desk, and chair. “I’ll go pick up some pizza.”
Jean sighed. “I still don’t understand. I would have kept your secret.”
“I’m sorry. It was safer to not know. And if Kale was against your father, there was a chance he would have a problem with you, too. The risk of compromising our entire organization was too great.” Jamal gently kissed Jean on the forehead.
Jean scrunched her brows and stepped back.
“Oh, um. I’m sorry.” Jamal rubbed his hands together.
“You know, I just thought about something. Mary said something about making sure I was safe. She looks so familiar. I keep thinking I may have seen her before.”
“Maybe you have seen her or someone who looks like her. Look, I know you’re hungry. I’m gonna go get the pizza,” he said before leaving.
While resting in her room, Jean was startled when one section of the wall flickered, becoming a transparent digital window displaying a lush, mountainous landscape. Her eyes grew heavy, as if they had weights pulling them down. She yawned as drowsiness washed over her. Before long, she plopped onto the bed and fell asleep. After a half hour, she heard someone breathing. She peeled her eyes open. Agent Smyte towered over her, his thin lips curled into a sinister smile. Before she could move, he shoved a moist cloth over her face. Suddenly feeling exhausted, Jean was unable to keep her eyelids open, and everything turned to blackness.