Regression (41 page)

“
No. Go run Peter’s
test.”

“
Your attacker is the
father.” Babak’s voice was flat. “I…”

“
It’s all right. So,
what does it mean, then?”

“
I don’t know yet.
But, there’s more than just their growth. Peter’s got some other
news.”

Peter pointed at the profile
results. “For this to happen, the chromosomes remained together
during the first mitotic division after fertilization, not
separating and heading toward opposite poles of the cell.
Non-disjunction’s the technical name for the glitch in the process.
But in this case both babies still have the right number of
chromosomes. They just didn’t get the copies from each parent, only
one parent. This is incredible.”

“
What does it mean,
though? Do you think this is what the plasmid does? Change the DNA,
accelerate the growth?” Her hands had never moved from the
protective position cradling her stomach.

“
I would expect the
plasmid either prevents the separation of the chromatids at the
centromere or controls the action of the spindle fibres. There
should be no consequences to the twins as long as there are no
problems with the genetic coding on the chromosomes. If there is no
disease present then everything needed for normal development is
contained on only one copy of each chromosome, the second copy acts
as a backup. With some disorders one chromosome will carry the
defective gene while the other carries the healthy gene and because
the healthy gene is present and expressing itself the person is
fine. But, if there is no second healthy gene present then we have
a problem.”

“
So, are they
identical or fraternal?”

“
Neither. Identical
twins share the exact same genetic makeup while fraternal twins
have some genes in common but randomly received from both mother
and father. It appears each foetus received two copies of each
chromosome from either the mother or father. But, they do share one
amniotic sac which only identical twins normally do… they arose
from one zygote, one ova and one sperm. I would call them exact
opposites.”

“
Polar opposites.
Polar twins.” A slight smile brightened Adya’s taught
face.

“
Polar twins. I like
that. An apt description since the chromosomes separate to opposite
poles of the cell during mitosis.”

“
Any idea what purpose
it serves?” Babak addressed this query to Peter.

“
Actually, from a
genetic variability standpoint it makes perfect sense. If you want
to increase the variation available in the next generation based on
a limited number of genes in the first, you would prevent random
assortment and ensure there were as few common genes as possible in
your foundation stock. For example, these two brothers only have
one set of chromosomes in common, the allosomes. They had to
receive the Y chromosome from their father and their X chromosome
from Adya. If they were girls, they could actually be without any
common chromosomes at all, one receiving an X from Adya and the
other from the father. But all the other chromosomes are different.
So if these boys grow into men and have children, those children
would not have any autosomes in common with each other, perhaps not
even the allosomes dependent upon their sex. The offspring would
have chromosomes in common with Adya and their grandfather but not
with their uncle or each other. So in essence you get cousins who
are not related which could reproduce with each other with a
nominal inbreeding coefficient. It’s perfect planning for the
future, to decrease the risk of inbreeding depression on the human
genome. Adya, if you are the mother of the human race then these
children are the fathers. As long as they’re able to pass on the
plasmid – you said your son had it and it was present in his
sperm?”

“
Yes.” She laughed
self consciously.

“
It’s looking more and
more like the plasmid has a purpose. We’re still not much closer to
knowing what’s going to happen on November 11, but I would hazard a
guess there’s an event causing a significant reduction in the
viable human population. So someone sent our consciousnesses back
in time, especially Adya’s, to ensure survival of the species. With
a head start on the number of individuals with the plasmid, we can
ensure the human race not only survives, but thrives.”

Adya softly ventured, “There’s
more.”

“
What do you
mean?”

“
The plasmid…it’s been
doing things. To me.”

Both men gasped. “What?
How?”

“
The eyes. Those
aren’t contacts.” She looked into Peter’s eyes. “I was going to buy
contacts. I woke up not needing to.” She lifted her hand, pointing
to the birthmark. “See this?”

Peter took her hand, softly
rubbing the underside while inspecting the ring-like stain. “What
is it? A birthmark?”

“
It’s been there all
along, from birth. But…in this lifetime, it’s been itchy.” She
peered at it. “And changing colour. It’s darker now.”

“
When does the itch
happen?” Babak took her hand, inspecting the mark.

“
Whenever something
happens. The rape. The fortune teller. The eyes.” She stopped. “Oh,
my god. The only time it ever itched in the last lifetime was the
day…I died.” She looked at them. “What is it?”

“
It…seems to be
helpful?”

“
I guess.”

“
So, there is still
some purpose to it. It’s on our side. You and it are still key to
our survival, I think. Even more so if it
can…do…things.”

“
What about all of
you, the scientists?”

“
Adya, you already
know the answer, you told me.” Peter couldn’t hide the pain in his
eyes, leaving her breathless.

Melik spoke, “I have to agree with
you, Adya, the ethnic variety amongst the group is by design. When
building a foundation you need as much variation as possible and
also want representation of the diversity within the species. It’s
too much to believe it’s coincidence or an accident we all come
from discretely different genetic and ethnic
backgrounds.”

“
I’m almost afraid to
voice it, because it sounds like I want it to be that
way.”

“
We know you well
enough to realize you don’t operate like that, Adya. But, there are
twenty eight…” Peter paused, grief shadowing his eyes. “Excuse me,
twenty six men with twenty six different sets of chromosomes
representing the entire variability present in the human genome.
The question remains of how one woman is going to physically be
able to produce the children of twenty six men, never mind the
psychological or social aspects of the task.”

Babak had been listening to most
of the conversation without comment. “A healthy woman could
feasibly have a pregnancy almost immediately after the previous
delivery. The limiting factors for such cases are the health of the
mother and the difficulty of the birth itself. With medical
supervision I don’t think there would be any serious concerns about
repeated pregnancies as long as Adya’s health was closely
monitored. Especially with this new development. If the gestation
is only five months…”

“
What if they’re all
twins?” Peter’s observation left them all stunned.

“
That is very
daunting. I don’t know…this is beginning to sound outlandish. Are
we even on the right track here? I’m getting a little overwhelmed
…” She drew a shuddering breath. “I’m sorry, I really need to be
alone.” She left the room heading toward her own. Peter followed
close behind.

“
Anything I can do for
you?”

“
Thanks, Peter, but
this is something I need to think about alone. This is…more than I
really expected. I need…time. Sorry.” Their eyes met as the door
closed. Peter’s distressed, hers confused.

Adya sat on her bed and glanced
through her journal, leafing to the very beginning when she was in
the hospital. It was difficult to visualize the faces of her
children without the sketches she had made, although the essence of
their spirits left warmth in her heart as she thought of them. A
poignant sadness drew tears to her eyes, knowing she would never
bear those children, they were being sacrificed for what she hoped
was the greater good. The doubts surfaced again, to question if
they were heading in the right direction. A soft knock interrupted
her thoughts and Peter was there as if summoned.

“
Peter. I need you.”
She greeted him at the door with tears in her eyes, and he took her
in his arms. “Are we wrong? What if we’re wrong? I can’t remember
them anymore, Peter, I forget what my children look like. What kind
of mother is that? What kind of mother gives up her own kids on a
hunch? I can’t do this.”

“
Adya, shh. It will
pass. You aren’t a bad mother because you can’t picture the kids. A
lot of time and space separate you, a lot of things have happened.
It doesn’t make you a bad mother. We are not wrong, you are not
wrong…there is no other answer to the puzzle of you. It only makes
sense. And you will be the best mother to all of your babies. We
don’t know how the soul works, maybe those babies you had in the
previous timeline will be born to you again, you don’t know. And,
when they are, perhaps your soul will recognize theirs. But you
were meant to do this.” He held her tightly, infusing her with his
warmth.

Melik knocked. Peter released her
and opened the portal. The new arrival studied her face. “Don’t go
there, Adya, you know you’re right about this. We know we’re right
about this, this isn’t just you. And, it’s not just about you…the
signs are there. It’s about all of us, and eventually the rest of
them will see it too. ” He too offered his support, pulling her
into a welcome embrace.

“
Thank you, Melik, you
know the right things to say. I appreciate you for that.” A quick
kiss brought colour to his cheek before they left for the meeting.
Each man held one of Adya’s hands on their way.

Dawn Ingram’s first introduction to the executive took place
that afternoon. The men exchanged startled glances at the
alterations. Strategic placement of makeup changed the contours of
Adya’s face as did the high heeled shoes Peter brought for her,
making her appear taller.

“
Wow, you really did
add ten years.”

“
You would never know
they were the same two people.”

Congratulations were offered at
the transformation before she called the meeting to order. “We need
to go through the motions of locating and installing Dawn. First I
need to get out of here and get on a plane without someone
noticing. Any ideas?”

“
Oh four hundred hours
seems least busy around here, shall we slip you onto a plane and
‘pick’ you up somewhere?”

“
Sounds good, but even
the pilot needs to remain oblivious. Or can any of you
fly?”

“
I can. I fly between
here and Sanctum all the time.” Henri stood up. “I will fly the
plane for you.”

“
So next is the issue
of getting me to the plane undetected. We can’t have Adya Jordan
seen leaving the building.”

“
What about Adya’s
body?” All eyes turned to Santino.

“
Pardon?” She cocked a
puzzled brow.

“
If we are sending it
back to her family then it should go.”

“
That’s only a cover
story; we can’t exactly substitute a body.”

“
No need. Babak, you
send the box out from the hospital and it is taken to the airport
and loaded on the plane. Arrive in a large airport like Toronto
where Three Eleven has a terminal. Adya, you do your transformation
thing, catch a flight under a third name to somewhere else where
the plane picks you up. The body doesn’t actually go to the
parents, they don’t even expect it to.”

“
Perhaps the plane
should make a few stops to confuse the issue of where Dawn Ingram
boarded. Are there other airports with Three Eleven terminals?”
Adya directed her question to Henri.

“
Yes, six in North
America and four elsewhere in the world. I’ve been to them all.” He
nodded for emphasis, his eyes lighting with excitement.

“
Where can I go spend
a large amount of cash on clothing and not be noticed?” Puzzled
eyes gazed from blank faces. “Dawn Ingram can’t dress like a
fourteen year old from Canada, don’tcha know.” Smiles met her
affectation.

“
California.” A few
voices pitched in together.

“
California has a
private Three Eleven terminal. Book yourself a flight from YYZ to
LAX under an assumed name. Use the Three Eleven
Prerogative.”

“
What’s
that?”

“
The prerogative to
travel without clearing customs. One of the perks of being an
executive. As long as you have an official Three Eleven passport
there will be no customs questioning, delays or so much as a snort
directed your way.”

“
Perfect. So, who
makes the passports?”

“
You. Jennifer used to
but…”

“
Oh. I’ll see to it
after this meeting. The next issue is the release of details about
the accident and Adya Jordan’s death. I think we need more emphatic
denunciation of Anvolussion.” She paused, turning on the projector.
“I also think we need to reconsider what they stand
for.”