Immortal (18 page)

It was Sebastian himself that tweaked the
final designs of the farm system. It was his psychological
behavioral unit that had determined that the specimens on the farm
would develop healthier if they were allowed to be active, to have
purpose, hence the creation of the factory. That if they were
allowed to pick mates, they would survive longer and make for
better donors. And he finally overcame the host mother issue in the
growth of the fetus, so that now any female at the farm could carry
a fetus to term. And though he valiantly tried to finally solve the
inoculation virus side affect of cellular regeneration, it was that
side affect that finally killed him. At the age of one hundred and
thirty five, his brain could no longer regenerate new cells, and
though he could have undergone a transplant, his mind would have
been lost. He opted, alone in his assigned apartment, the evening
of the first Accession Ball, to take his own life. It was Charles’
father that found his body. He had stopped by after the ball to
check on him, as he was concerned about his condition. That was
when he found his note. His father never told him what the note
said, not verbatim anyway. But Charles remembered distinctly what
he had told him, as he lay on his own death bed, mere moments from
the end of his long life.

“They must never know.” His father had
gasped.

“Shh, father. Relax.” Charles had said.

“No-”

“Shh.” Charles said again.

“…never know.” His father gasped again.
Charles remembered his bloodshot eyes as they stared up into his.
They pleaded with him, then suddenly the focus was lost, and the
stare was blank. His father was dead. And now, faced with this
emergency, his father was still dead. His communications device
vibrated in his hand. He looked down and read the message. Intruder
alert in the warehouse, it read. This was not good. Not good at
all.

“Excuse me, sir.” He said quietly to Roger.
“May I have a moment?”

They both heard the unmistakable sound of the
door as it slid open. Jericho, released her and ran to the end of
the aisle and peeked quickly back up the corridor towards the door
they had come through into the warehouse. One by one Guardians
entered the warehouse. He turned and quickly ran down the aisle
back to Gabrielle.

“They’re here.” He whispered, and waved his
hand too indicate that she should follow. They ran to the far end
of the aisle, and turned towards the rear of the room and ran
quietly down the rear corridor. He could see a doorway ahead, and
as he approached, he saw the same type of control panel that was at
the entryway on the adjacent wall. He remembered the sequences he
had tapped out before, and did so again. Instantly the lights began
to flick out. As the last light in the large room went out, he
could hear the crunch of broken glass under a Guardian’s feet.
Quickly he tapped out the final command, and the door opened. He
lunged through and pulled Gabrielle with him. Two steps in, as he
turned back to the door he could make out the figures of Guardians
as they rounded the corner of the aisle and headed towards them
down the corridor. On the other side of the doorway, he looked
about excitedly, and then quickly found the simple control panel
that controlled the door. The Guardians were almost at the
threshold, as he ran his fingers across the keypad. The door slid
shut, just as the Guardian in the lead slammed into it. Jericho,
quickly jabbed the control panel with his stick and sparks flew in
a burst of brightness in the dimly lit passage way. He grabbed
Gabrielle’s hand and ran to the end of the passageway and at the
next closed door, quickly tapped a series of commands into its
control panel. Nothing happened. He tapped at it again, and still
nothing. A loud bang came from the door behind them.

“Guess they figured out the controls won’t
work now.” He said, and tapped another series of keys on the pad.
Nothing happened. Bang after bang began to come from the door
behind them and grew louder and more frequent. He tapped on the pad
again. Nothing.

“Jericho!” Gabrielle yelled, as she pointed
behind her toward the door they had come through. At the edge, a
small dot had begun to glow a dull red, and as he watched it became
white hot. Sparks began to fly from it into the passageway, as a
heavy acrid smoke smell filled the room. He left the control pad,
and ran back down the passageway. As he approached, the glowing
hole erupted with the tip of a control rod, and barely missed his
own hand. He coughed from the acrid smoke, and squinted his eyes to
keep them from tearing up. He stepped to the side as another spot
began to glow, and then realized that a whole series of spots had
begun to glow down the edge of the door. He ran the few steps to
the other end of the passage, and as he approached he saw that
Gabrielle’s hand hovered over the keypad. Her eyes were closed. He
said nothing. A few seconds went by, and he glanced back as he
heard another control stick burn through the doors edge. He
breathed hard now, as he turned back to Gabrielle. She opened her
eyes, and began to type on the keypad. The light turned green, and
the door slid open. A Guardian stood on the other side. In one
swift motion, Gabrielle knocked aside the control stick held by the
Guardian, and planted the one in her own hand firmly under its
chin. Sparks still flew as she rushed past it. She withdrew her
stick, and quickly keyed a series of codes into the keypad on that
side of the door. Jericho leaped through the doorway just as the it
slid shut behind him. He bounced off of the still smoldering
Guardian as he came through. She smiled, and jammed her stick
against the control pad. It exploded in a shower of sparks. The
light went out. Wordlessly she ran down the narrow corridor. Mouth
open, Jericho followed. At the end of the corridor, they paused,
their backs against the wall, and control sticks at the ready.

“It’s hot in here.” Jericho remarked, as a
bead of sweat ran down his face. Perspiration had beaded on
Gabrielle’s face as well. She quickly peeked around the corner, but
saw nothing in the hallway. She went around the corner. As they
rounded the corner, even in the dim light, they realized that the
wall to the right was not a wall at all. It was lined with shelves
that contained tanks.

“More parts?” Jericho asked sarcastically.
Gabrielle flattened herself against the opposite wall, with her
arms spread. She was afraid to see what may be in the tanks. Then
as her eyes continued to adjust to the dim light, she thought she
saw something within the tank directly across from her. Some type
of movement. As she approached slowly, she turned her head, slowly,
this way and that. She struggled to see what was within. When she
was but a foot from the tank, she could see the contents clearly.
Jericho stepped up beside her, and gazed at it as well. Inside,
floated a small object in relative peace. A tiny fetus moved very
gently with the flow of the liquid within the tank. A monitor on
the top of the tank blinked rapidly in time with its tiny
heartbeat.

“What is it?” Gabrielle asked, unsure of what
she saw.

“I don’t know.” Jericho answered, and glanced
back down the hall.

“Is it?” Gabrielle began. “Is it…one of us?”
She finally managed to say. Slowly, she brought her hand up to
touch the glass.

“I don’t know, Gabby.” He said, and
swallowed. “I’ve never seen anything like it.” Her gaze continued
across the tiny human, noting its ten little perfect fingers, on
the two little perfect hands. The cord that came from its belly led
up to the top of the tank. It moved, and though it might have
startled her a moment ago, now that movement mesmerized to her. It
rolled slightly in the tank, and one of its tiny little hands
reached out, as if to touch hers. She held her hand fast to the
side of the tank, as a tear ran down her cheek. The hand within the
tank touched the glass, and Gabrielle gasped. She could feel
something within her being drawn to the creature inside the tank. A
feeling of need, and of longing. She felt an overwhelming need to
hold and gently caress the tiny creature inside. A feeling so
powerful, that she had no explanation for its power. She could feel
its heartbeat as if it reverberated within her very soul. She could
feel its warmth through the glass her hand rested upon.

“Oh Jericho, what is this place. What is this
horrible place?” She asked, as the overwhelming emotion welled up
in her voice. He wrapped his arm around her to comfort her. Slowly
she let her hand slide down the side of the tank.

“Come on.” He said gently. “We have to go.”
She pulled her hand back, and took a deep breath, and with one last
glance at the tiny baby, she turned and walked slowly and stoically
down the hallway, and intentionally did not look at the other tanks
that lined the wall. As they reached the next turn, she hesitated.
She stopped and looked back at the tank down the hall. Another tear
slid down her cheek. She let her head slump down. Then with a deep
breath, she turned and continued around the corner. Soon, after a
few more turns, they came to the end of the hallway and faced
another door. There was no control panel visible. Jericho
approached the door, control stick at the ready, when suddenly it
opened, and they were blinded by a bright white light. They both
jumped back, and threw themselves against the walls as they
squinted in the brightness.

“Jonah!” The premier exclaimed, as he shook
Jonah’s hand, and placed his other hand on his shoulder. “I’m
especially excited about your reveal tonight, cousin.”

“You remember, your Lordship.” Jonah said as
he smiled. Roger laughed.

“Of course I do!” He said enthusiastically.
“How could I forget my favorite cousin?” He asked.

“Well it’s been a long time, and I’m sure you
are quite busy now.”

“Oh, posh. I’m not that busy. Now where is
that beautiful wife of yours?” He asked as he glanced around.

“Downstairs.” Jonah replied. Roger leaned
close, and whispered.

“I’m just dying to say something provocative
to her…it makes her crazy!” He said, as he winked.

“Crazy is one word for it.” Jonah replied,
the smile still on his face. “So how are you coping with
everything?” Jonah asked.

“You mean this?” Roger said, as he swept his
arm through the air and indicated the crowd as they danced below on
the floor of the great hall. “This is easy.” He said. “Now dealing
with all of the whiny bastards with all of their petty little
problems? That, my friend, is a different story entirely.” His
smile disappeared and his expression went grave for a moment. “But
enough about my boring life. What of yourself? What’s the big
reveal?” He said, as he smiled again.

“Oh, just your standard vocal chord upgrade.
Nothing special really.”

“Did you get the brain enhancement as well? I
hear they have made great strides in that technology.” Roger waved
at a small group that tried desperately to get his attention from
near the balcony.

“I did. Thank you for asking. Seems I
remember a lot of things better now.” Jonah said. Roger stopped in
mid wave, as his expression suddenly turned dour.

“A lot of things you say?” Roger asked.
“Things like what?” He asked, with an edge of concern in his
voice.

“Oh, birthdays, anniversaries…the important
things.” Jonah replied, and Roger smiled again, as the concern
eased out of his face.

“Well that’s a useful talent, especially for
keeping Nessa happy.” He said.

“Yes it is. I also remember some
things...long forgotten.” Jonah said. His own expression turned
quite serious.

“You do, do you?” Roger asked. His attention
once again focused on Jonah.

“What happened to Adam?” Jonah asked. Roger
stared at him, and the seconds ticked past before he finally
spoke.

“You know what happened to Adam.” He said, as
a hint of impatience entered his voice. Jonah did not break his
stare, but held his gaze defiantly.

“Do I?” Jonah asked quickly.

“Of course, you do.” Roger said as he
diverted his eyes away from Jonah. “You were there. Of all things,
you should remember that.”

“Seems as though, maybe I wasn’t there after
all, your Lordship.”

“What are you saying?” Roger asked, clearly
exasperated.

“Saying? Why, I am not saying anything,
sire.” His gaze became even more intense. “I was asking.” Jonah
stated directly.

“Well maybe you should stop asking, and just
be thankful for what you have.” Roger said, with a sudden
indifference. “Nessa will be an honoree next year. You wouldn’t
want there to be any issues with her rejuvenation or enhancement
selection.” He said. “Now would you.” He said matter of factly, as
the Chancellor stepped to his side, and bent close to his ear.

“Excuse me, your Lordship.” Charles said
quietly to the Premier. “May I have a moment?” Jonah stood in
absolute silence.

“Good night, Jonah.” Roger said with an edge
of sarcasm in his voice. “Give my love to Vanessa.” He turned and
walked away with the Chancellor. For a moment Jonah looked after
him, as he fought to control the emotions within himself. Ever
since he had received the brain enhancement, he knew that he had
not been there when Adam had died. More importantly, he remembered
why he had thought for so long that he had been there and had seen
the whole thing. Immediately after Roger had told him that Adam had
died, his father, the Premier had arranged for Jonah to be treated
for the grief of having lost his closest friend, and cousin. Jonah
now recalled that this treatment consisted of a combination of drug
therapies, hypnosis, electric shock, and even surgery. With his new
enhancement, he could remember clearly being told repeatedly that
he was there when Adam died, that he had seen it happen, and had
even tried to save his cousin. That he himself had almost drowned,
and that it was Roger that had saved his life. The problem with
that story was that it was not true. He knew beyond all doubt now,
that he knew nothing of Adam’s demise, until Roger had told him
about it. For all these years he had lived with the guilt of having
been somehow responsible for Adam’s death. That he had been made to
believe that he had snuck out in the middle of the night, jumped
the fence, and swam in the ocean, and that it had all been his
idea. That Adam had just gone along with it, and then died because
of it. He did not know what really happened that night, but now he
finally knew what had not happened.