17 - VALE

Spring 91, SA 106, 19h25

Gregorian Calendar: June 18

She leaves OAC Headquarters at 7:30 on the dot every work night. Even when we were younger, Moriana was always methodical and deliberate in her habits. If she has extra work to do, she’s up early in the morning instead of staying up late at night. She always follows the same path to and from work, and—at least before Miah and I left—she rarely deviated from the same restaurants or clubs that we’d been going to for years. She was a creature of habit, and I knew she’d leave the OAC campus via the main entrance and then veer south toward the nearest PODS station, taking our familiar shortcut along the way. This is why, at exactly 7:28, Eli checks his watch and nods at me.

“Go time.”

I amble toward the arching covered walkway that divides OAC headquarters with its multi-story greenhouse. I pick a spot and lean nonchalantly against the elegant twisting carbon frame, modeled after the DNA molecule’s double helix, that girds the exterior of the main building and remember how not too long ago I’d snuck into the complex to break into my mother’s lab. I’d been looking for answers then. Just like now. Why are there so many secrets? This time, at least, I’m not breaking in, I’m not carrying a grappling hook, and I have no intention of getting stuck in a dumbwaiter.

After listening to my mother’s broadcast about the River 1 parasite, the Director gave us an order: get Moriana Nair. As my mother’s protégé, the Director figures—and we all agree—that Moriana must know where the parasite came from since it sure as hell didn’t come from Rhinehouse. Considering Moriana’s history with Miah and me, the Director believes Moriana can be persuaded to share her knowledge, maybe even join our cause. I hope she’s right.

Now, Eli, Soren, and I are back in the capital disguised as OAC operatives, wearing the modified contact lenses Kenzie was working on back at the Resistance base. Although our disguises are good, we’re still vulnerable to routine retinal scans taken by security drones, and if a security guard or a Watchman gets suspicious, all they’d have to do is wave a retinal scanner at our faces to discover our identities. But Kenzie’s new contacts can be coded to either mimic someone else’s retina or to blend with hundreds of other retinal patterns so the scanners can’t process the input data. They can’t even register you as having a human retinal pattern. To the average Watchman on the street, it would look like the scanner is on the fritz. And you become unidentifiable. Invisible.

Confident in my disguise, I smile at a passing researcher who looks vaguely familiar, and then glance up at the sightless eyes of the drone screening all passersby to make sure they’re authorized to be on the OAC campus. The red eye blinks, flashes, and … nothing. The drone doesn’t move. No alarms go off. I make a mental note to thank Kenzie the next time I see her.

I hear the main door to the headquarters slide open and then shut again as I let my gaze wander up the double helix. Some of the enhancements we made were basic. I can hear my mother’s voice in my head, patiently explaining the ways she altered my DNA, how she changed who I am. Permanently. The muscles in my jaw clench, and I remind myself not to grind my teeth. Visual, auditory, olfactory, sensory modifications. You’ll be able to experience more of the world than you ever dreamed.

If only you had asked my permission, Mother.

I hear footsteps around the corner, and I know it’s her. Ever punctual. Even her gait sounds familiar. How different would things have turned out if Miah and I had asked her to come with us? Would she have believed the accusations against my mother, her hero? Would she have given up the opportunity to work with the Director of the OAC to follow us into the Wilds, risking life and limb? She told me we never gave her a chance to decide.

Well, things are different now. She’ll get her chance.

Sixteen years we spent together, as close as any best friends can be. I draw in a breath. Then I see her. Her lanky frame, dark shimmering hair, the way her confident stride is just a little too long for her legs—she’s impossible to miss. She heads my way and I meet her eyes, hoping she won’t recognize me. She doesn’t. Glancing away almost immediately, she brushes past me without the slightest acknowledgment.

Good.

At a safe distance, I turn to follow her. I’m careful to keep my footsteps quiet, but she seems utterly indifferent to the possibility of being followed. After all, aside from the massacre at the SRI four years ago, this part of Okaria is the safest place in the Sector. Especially for someone like Moriana.

A Watchman crosses the street and walks toward us, my heart rate spiking the closer he gets. But worrying is unnecessary; he gives Moriana and her long legs an appreciative look and ignores me completely.

Moriana heads to the right, and, sure enough, a moment later, she takes the narrow alley she always uses as a shortcut between the OAC campus and the transport station. As I follow her, I catch sight of Eli slouching next to a composter, pretending to be reading something on a v-scroll. He’s ready.

I quicken my stride. As Moriana draws closer, Eli’s hand goes to the Bolt in his holster, and then in one smooth move, he steps in front of Moriana and pulls the weapon, holding it tight to his side so Moriana can see it, but an overhead drone won’t notice a thing.

“Don’t move,” Eli orders.

“What the—”

“OAC Security Directorate,” I say, stepping from behind her to Eli’s side and flipping open a fake ID just long enough for Moriana’s jaw to drop in shock. I’m consciously trying to speak in a lower tone than usual. I don’t want her recognize my voice. “We need to ask you a few questions.”

“About what? Do you know who I am?”

“Of course we know who you are,” Eli says with a snarl. “You think we just pluck random citizens off the street to interrogate?”

“Interrogate?” Moriana’s voice rises. “But I work with Corine Or—”

“And just who do you think ordered the interrogation?”

“Don’t worry, Ms. Nair,” I assure her. “We’re not going to hurt you and you’re not in any trouble.”

“So far,” Eli adds. Good cop. Bad cop. I think he’s enjoying this.

“There’s been a security breach, and information about River 1 has been leaked. The last thing we want, I’m certain you will agree, is for that information to land in the wrong hands. Our job is to find out who leaked the information and why.”

Moriana scowls as if offended. “But I wouldn’t—”

“Not here,” Eli says.

“Our orders are to transport you to a secure location for questioning.” I step closer. I don’t think she’ll try to run, she’s too much of a stickler for following the rules, but we have to make sure. “You don’t have any problem with that, do you?”

“No, no. Of course not. I’ll do whatever is necessary. Whatever Corine requires.”

“That’s very wise of you,” Eli says, nodding at me to start walking. “Very dedicated. Now, my colleague will lead you—”

Moriana doesn’t budge. “I don’t understand. I just left the lab. Why didn’t you question me there?”

“In order to find out where the information leak originated, we’ll be questioning every member of the team assigned to the River 1 research project,” I reply calmly. “We can’t conduct these interrogations at the OAC for fear you’ll share information. Everyone will be questioned separately, quietly, and off-site.”

I can almost hear the cogs and gears turning in Moriana’s mind as she processes the situation, trying to decide what to do. I take the initiative and, with a firm grip on her elbow, lead her toward the hovercar waiting at the end of the alley. “Now, if you’ll just come along quietly, this whole thing will be over before you know it.”

At the end of the alley, Soren leans against the hovercar Snake procured for us from who-knows-where. Painted to look like an official OAC security vehicle—who knows, maybe it is an official OAC security vehicle—we’ll drive it through the streets of Okaria back to the rendezvous point in Gingko Park where Snake is waiting with the hovercar Zeke loaned us to get into the city. Soren steps up and opens the back door while Eli and I hustle Moriana in. Soren climbs in and takes his place at the nav console and eases the car away from the curb.

“Please hand over your plasma,” I order. “We need to ensure you won’t be communicating with any other members of your team while these interrogations are taking place.”

Moriana scowls, but she opens her bag and puts her plasma in my open palm.

“So, Ms. Nair,” Eli says, his finger curled around the trigger of the Bolt resting in his lap, “shall we begin?” Having been interrogated himself, Eli knows what he’s doing. “Tell us what you know about the River 1 parasite currently spreading throughout the Sector.”

Sitting between the two of us, Moriana glances at me, then at the back of Soren’s head, his hair covered by a dark cap. Her brows knit together as she turns back to Eli. It’s been years since she’s seen Eli or Soren in the flesh, but I’m thankful she hasn’t seen past my disguise or recognized my voice yet.

“You said you were going to ask me if I’d told anyone about River 1, not ask me about the parasite itself. You should know I’m not at liberty to talk about top-secret programs.”

I shake my head as if disappointed in her powers of reasoning. It almost pains me to do so. “And just how do you suppose we will be able to determine who leaked what information, if we don’t know which lab workers are privy to which aspects of the classified program?”

“Oh,” she says simply, as if that hadn’t occurred to her.

“I repeat,” Eli says again, “tell us about the parasite, the symptoms it causes, and how it is currently spreading throughout the Sector. And it will be helpful if you do not leave out any details. Being very specific in your answers will help us clear you of violating the oath of secrecy you signed when you were hired.”

“Violating—” she begins to protest.

“Your cooperation,” I add quickly, “will help us put this unfortunate occasion behind you, and you can be back at work in your laboratory first thing in the morning.”

“Where are you taking me?”

“Answer the question.” Eli’s hand tightens around the grip of the Bolt, and his voice loses all pretense of polite conversation. As if it had any before.

Moriana swallows hard. Her hands play nervously with the clasp on her bag. She’s not convinced, but I can tell she sees no way out.

“Perhaps it will allay your misgivings if I told you this conversation is being recorded for your personnel file,” I say. “Our superiors will review the recording, as well as our notes on this meeting, as soon as we complete this part of our investigation.” I’m not lying completely. Demeter is recording, and we’ll report to the Director as soon as we’re back.

“All right,” she says. “Here’s what I know. Once ingested, the parasite attacks the brain, but it does no permanent damage.” She pauses.

“Go on,” I command.

“It’s a modified version of the Old World parasite Naegleria fowleri, an amoeboflagellate that inhabits both soil and water. The parasite in its natural form causes a range of neurological symptoms, from headaches and nausea to fevers, lack of attention, confusion, and eventually hallucinations and seizures. Ultimately, it leads to death. However, our modified version is incapable of killing a human patient by itself, going only so far as to render him or her comatose.” She continues for a few minutes in this vein. I can tell Eli is trying not to look as though he’s lapping up her every word. Finally she stops and looks up at us expectantly.

“What else?”

“That’s all I know! I swear I didn’t tell anyone. I never said a word.”

“You’re not off the hook yet, Ms. Nair,” I say, glancing out the window to get my bearings. By my estimate we’re about five minutes from the rendezvous point.

“We are well aware,” I continue, “that you know more than you’re letting on. It will go better for you, if you keep talking.”

“So River 1 does no permanent damage. How can you be so sure of that?” Eli demands.

“Because it’s not some dangerous disease. It’s a diversion!”

A diversion? What the hell does that mean? I avoid Eli’s eyes, trying to appear unaffected.

“Is that what you told your friends in the Resistance?” he says. “‘Don’t worry, the little bug won’t hurt you, it’s just a diversion’.”

“My friends in the Resistance? Are you joking?” Moriana practically spits the word. “I have no friends in the Resistance. I didn’t tell anybody anything.”

“I don’t believe that’s true,” I say quietly. There are people in the Resistance who love you.

Eli leans toward her. “You say it isn’t dangerous, that it’s just a diversion. Then you know why Corine made her special broadcast yesterday. Did you tell your friends about the broadcast? Are you the source of the OAC leak?”

“No! I swear by all that’s green and growing that I didn’t say a word!” A sheen of sweat has broken out on her smooth brow. I can smell her fear. “No one would understand anyway,” she says with growing desperation, “because no one knows why it was designed in the first place.”

Designed. This whole disguise and kidnap scheme was a gamble, but we’re about to win big. Moriana’s going to spill everything.

“But you know.” Eli’s voice is deep, dangerous. Menacing. He picks up the Bolt and flips it to KILL, then places it back on his lap, his finger tapping at the trigger. It’s a damn good thing it’s not fully charged. “You are one of the few scientists who knows exactly why River 1 was designed. And you know the OAC cannot afford to have employees who can’t keep their mouths shut.” Eli’s voice drops to a growl. “I’m losing patience, Ms. Nair. I’ll give you one more opportunity to tell us exactly what you know about this program or your employer is going to lose faith in you.”

Eli and I exchange a glance.

“I told you! I never … I swear—”

Soren glances backward. “Almost there,” he says. I feel the hovercar slow, see the dappled light filtering through the branches of the hundreds of Gingko trees dotting the rolling landscape. I’ve always loved this park. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Eli slip the syringe out of his pocket.

“Almost where? What is going on?” Moriana’s voice rises, panicked as I lean toward her. “I need to speak to—” She presses her back into the seat, shrinking from me. “Corine will vouch for me. I swear it.”

Dropping any pretense of disguise, I speak normally.

“Moriana, please.” She leans in, staring at me.

“Vale?” she asks, astonished.

“Thousands of people are sick. The symptoms are spreading like wildfire. How can it not be dangerous? What do you mean it’s a diversion?”

“I’m not telling you a thing. Let me out!” She starts to struggle, lashing out at me and scrambling for the door. Eli strikes, plunging the syringe into her thigh. Her eyes grow wide at the sting, and she stops fighting, turning to look at me, pure venom in her eyes.

“You want to know the truth, Vale? It’s not about some stupid parasite! It’s never been about the disease. It’s about the cure.”

“What about the cure?” I try to stay calm, but the look in her eyes has unnerved me.

“The whole program is about delivering the individualized nanoparticles to make MealPak modifications permanent,” she says. “The parasite is simply a diversion.”

Dread washes through me. “What are you saying?”

She shakes her head at me as if I’m dense. “It’s about locking in the genetic programing. It’s about finally creating a world where everyone knows their place. No war. No conflict. No fucking resistance.”

I stare across her at Eli, whose face mirrors the shock on my own. I thought I knew how far my mother would go for power. I thought I knew how much she would sacrifice. But this? How could I have known?

“I don’t believe it.” The words come out as a whisper.

“Why not? It’s what Corine’s been working on for years.” Her words are already starting to slur. “Permanent modifications. If it’s good enough for you, why not for everyone?”

Eli looks at me, his eyes wide, questioning. I haven’t even told Remy what my parents did to me. How they changed who I am without asking, just assuming their idea of making permanent modifications to my DNA would be something I would welcome. It makes my skin crawl just thinking about how they kept me in a drug-induced coma to monitor and evaluate the changes. And now they want to do that to every citizen in the Sector?

“What about free will?” I say, ignoring the look for now. “An individual’s right to self-determination?”

“You’re creating a society of slaves.” Eli sounds like he’s about to choke on the words.

“Slaves?” Moriana sneers. “What are you talking about? We’re not enslaving anyone. We’re improving everyone. And once people see how bad the disease is, everyone will want the cure. Everyone will want to be protected.”

I lean forward and turn her face toward me, trying to keep her alert. “What are you saying?”

“How could you do this, Vale? How could you do this to me?”

“Shut the fuck up,” Eli growls.

“Eli,” Soren warns from the front seat. He doesn’t need to say anything else. Eli shakes his head in disgust and looks out the window as if he can’t even stand the sight of Moriana.

She turns toward him. “Elijah Tawfiq?”

I cup her chin so she’s forced to look at me. “What about the cure? What are you planning to do?”

“It’s not … not finished yet. I was missing the key, the translation key. Brinn Alexander. Neural cell epigenetics. Her research.” Eli’s eyes narrow at the mention of Brinn’s name. “Each dose contains a—a virus that makes DNA modifications to stem cells—” Her words slide into each other. She licks her lips slowly, blinks to keep her eyes open. “—which propagate throughout the rest of the body. Stem cells can be programmed to do anything, within the confines of existing chemical and biological processes, as long as you give them the right code.”

I shake my head. “How do you make modifications to the brain? Stem cells won’t propagate to neural cells.”

Moriana looks at me like a professor wondering how such a stupid student ended up in her class. “We build new ones.” Her head slumps down onto her chest.

“How?” Eli asks.

“She’s out.” I lay her back against the seat.

Soren stops the car and turns around. He looks from Eli to me. “What did she mean, ‘If it’s good enough for you—’?”

I don’t let him finish. “We’ve got to move,” I say, trying to keep my mind on what needs to be done. There’s no time to explain everything now. “Demeter,” I command, “Transmit this recording to the Director.”

Snake, who had been waiting with Zeke’s car, opens my door and, in the cool shade of a giant gingko, I step out. My boots sink into the grass, soft from last night’s rain, and the pebbly gingko seeds grind into the earth beneath my soles. I drag Moriana’s limp body from the car as Soren takes her feet, and we carry her to Zeke’s sleek vehicle. Eli plants his palm on the locking panel to deactivate the cloaking and open the doors. I deposit Moriana into the back and slide in next to her as Eli takes the nav pane and Soren sits beside him.

“I need to hustle,” Snake says. “Gotta return the car I borrowed. You’re programmed to go out through side streets.” He points at the state-of-the-art navigation panel. “Don’t touch it until you’re past the last POD station unless something goes wrong.”

Eli grunts, nodding.

“We’ll get word to you,” I say. “You’re not going to believe—”

Eli’s already initiated the powerful rotors, and I can feel the hoverblades thrumming beneath me as the tripod withdraws, and the car lifts smoothly off the ground. With a gentle tilt, we move forward, out of this little copse of wood, out of the park, out of the city.

As we head back to Kanaan’s, my mind races, thoughts tumbling one after another like boulders down a hill as I sort through the implications of my mother’s pet project. Soren pivots in his seat, and I want to turn away, fearing he’s going to press the question about my modifications. But he doesn’t. He looks down at Moriana’s unconscious figure, drool hanging unceremoniously from her lips, her head resting on my thigh like she’s napping, and then meets my gaze. “Jeremiah,” Soren whispers. “He’ll be heartbroken.”