"It's probably best not to share that the clones seem quite eager to talk to us," Unity comment. "We're sure the news would love to hear about that in all the wrong ways."
"The clones in Europe were... surprisingly easy to thwart once we caught onto them," they add. "It makes us nervous. PhDestruction is capable of much worse. We're missing something..."
"Which is why we're inclined to follow the clue that we'll find something if we go through a portal," they add. "The sooner we get to the source of this the better."
"Are you inclined to go just us. Or, are you proposing we also take one of the captive clones-or the left overs- and see if that triggers anything?"
Theo picks from the remains of the catered breaking of the fast. "I can't wait to head back to HQ and just relax. I've been on edge. I've picked fights with artificial intelligences, for crying out loud!!"
The Olympian looks back to the ship. "I'm sorry, Gay Deceiver."
Nissa is touched, hearing her father apologize.
“So… beautiful.”
…aaaaand she’s finally catching on that she’s inebriated, and probably kind of obnoxious in this state.
"We're not likely to get much time to relax," Unity comment, with a sigh.
"We could likely ask one of them, given they're willing to talk to us," they say in response to Zellgato's question. "And ultimately it's not as if we can't do multiple tries. We'd rather avoid taking one with us if we could help it."
"Leaping into portals and not knowing where you're going is a good way to get yourself killed," says L.C. to Unity. "And, what does it matter now. We've caught dozens of them. Surely we've crippled their plans. Dr. Moore told us how the first one came to this world. He didn't know where that first one came from originally."
The Olympian looks back to the ship. "I'm sorry, Gay Deceiver."
"You're forgiven," says the ship. "I wasn't really mad. I'm just trying to have a personality here."
"I'd like to head back to Boston as well. Maybe Scarlett and her students might be able to do something with him," says L.C.
Unity pause a moment. Were they being affected by some latent genetic programming that was simply more subtle than the clones'? Well... they *did* think PhDestruction was still dangerous, but perhaps some more caution was warranted.
"From what we could learn the groups of clones are working mostly independantly," they reply to L.C. "We've ruined what these ones were doing, but any other groups of them would be unaffected, and we'd guess that PhDestruction benefits from *any* of them succeeding. If there is indeed a single 'PhDestruction' still in any sense of the word. But the fact that they're trying to 'return' somewhere suggests there's someone or at least somewhere to return *to*, which is worrisome."
"Still, there is probably not an immediate need to go jumping in portals. We could take some time to prepare and see if we can get more information out of them."
"Scarlett squad should be aware of the dangers of traps planted within their psyche. They seem to coded to think a certain way. I well expect they would have measures to prevent that--either on their end, or a trigger to harm the other end." counting years on his finger, "Simliar to the previous demon ...thing..."
“Even the one I charmed expressed a desire to collect my DNA. He at least had the decency to ask, and was nice about it when I politely turned him down.”
"We'll give Scarlett your warning. I think they've learned a lesson from Void. Scarlett's also spend some time on World II with the oracles. She's learned a few tricks," says L.C. "Well, anything else you want to do in Europe?"
Henri has finally stopped tucking in, but the amount of food that he destroyed is noteworthy. "I think maybe the nanites and the excitement yesterday fired up my metabolism. I haven't eaten like that in many, many years."
After some thought, he shakes his head looking at L.C., "No, Marshall, I don't know that I have anything else personally. I think Gay Deceiver would like to return to Boston Theoretical, though. I'm getting a vibe from her that she's ill at ease here."
"We're ready to go," Unity say.
"We likely have time now, but we'd rather not delay dealing with PhDestruction once and for all more than we must," they add. "Unless this is some genetic compulsion he built into us, in which case we want to find all of them we can so we can sink our teeth into them."
If there was to be romance …or a talk about whether romance was desirable (or possible), it would have happened last night.
Forget Paris.
“I want to go home.”
But looking at the breakfast display, she makes an effort to not sound so mopey. “I mean after breakfast of course. Please… eat a little more. I want to fly around a little. I can’t eat to dilute the wine, but I can burn it off.”
* * *
Nissa stays close by, leaving a fire trail where she flies so if Unity needs to call her back in, she’s easy to spot. She’s taking in the view as she soars, and after several minutes, her glow is more of a rose gold…
"Okay," says L.C., missing any frustration Nissa might be feeling. "Home it is. I'm going to need to get back to Tarokh. You might want to brief Phade on the time ship. She's beginning to suspect something. You'll have to join me in Tarokh when you finish investigating PhDestruction."
L.C. looks for crumbs of anything Henri and the others left behind.
"Oh, if you want to get in touch with Doctor Moore, he sends me the name of the book his conspiracists are hiding in each week. Has done for 3 years. Just in case you came back and needed him. The Canonists have quite the reward out for him now. He did quite a run of re-gendering Shakespeare that they're still furious about."
Gay Deceiver reiterates that she will not transport anyone with a bomb inside them and L.C. arranges for a military transport of the explosive clone to Boston.
”Yes, I assumed she would be aware already, to be honest. It’s an ace up our sleeve that I think we want to keep secret as long as possible, but yourself and Phade absolutely need to be aware.”
Nissa will do the following:
1. She’ll flash her charming eyes at a PhDuhminion.
She will be sweet but honest when talking to the minion. If anyone at Bos-Sci makes a tiny comm for Nissa, she could take other people’s questions and ask them her own way.
2. Nissa will read whatever book Dr. Moore is hiding in (or listen to the audiobook while flying around if she can get a tiny device.
…
…and about her being honest, Nissa approaches Henri in private.
“Henri… I don’t know if you were aware that the French heroes were gonna hit the Duhminion with a nonlethal sonic bomb. And I don’t want to know.
“But if you did know, and chose not to tell me, you did the right thing. Sarenrae was very clear about Her disapproval of bluffing the enemy. A second chance at life isn’t something I’ll take for granted, so I won’t resort to trickery.
“It doesn’t mean I’ll announce secrets or any dumb extreme like that… but I definitely could not have lured a man into the line of fire, even knowing it was nonlethal.
“So if you kept me in the dark, it was the right move. I just wanted you to know that.”
The Olympian, instead of seeking rest, stands with Nissa and her interrogation.
Henri holds his hand up level with his face so Nissa can stand while they visit.
He gives her a bashful smile, "Ma dame luciole, I did not willingly mislead you. I was simply limited in what I could tell you without giving the game away. My directions to you were intended to get you out of harm's way." He holds up an index finger, "But please be aware that I would not have complied with our directions if I felt your friend was in lethal danger after you had done so well communicating with him."
Nissa stands on the offered hand.
“Oh, that’s good to know they assured you it was nonlethal. And that you were acting on that assurance. But even if you only limited your words so the PhDuhminion wouldn’t catch on, I’m glad that I didn’t catch on.
“Maybe by the time you joined us, I was already halfway to where my goddess wanted me. I used to be good at trickery, secrecy… even had a way to say one thing, mean another, and only the person I’m talking to could catch on.”
After saying ‘catch on’ for the third time, it suddenly occurs to Henri that Nissa’s actually demonstrating the very technique that she just mentioned. There was some subtle body language when she used forms of the word ‘assure,’ a stressing of syllables when she said ‘nonlethal,’ and that look of remorse. Even slight movements of her feet on his palm drew attention to—
—Henri understands the unspoken message: ‘My deepest regret is the one time that I killed. It means the world to me that you’d have made a different call if the shot would have killed the minion.’
Apparently confident that her message was delivered, she asks, “Do you already know the whole story on that?”
He shakes his head, "I have heard it mentioned, but no, I don't know the details, but I know that sometimes the only choices we have are choices we regret to take."
"Unburden your mind. Tell me what happened."
Nissa looks uncomfortable for a moment… and relieved in the next.
“Okay… so… context: we just came back from 1938—not the real 1938, but a Superman origin story. I realized we were all in a comic when we… well, met the Kents and their baby was stronger than my Dad. So I knew that jerk Porter from The Government was up to no good, and he and his superiors would be mad when we came back to 2219 without the alien baby they wanted to train. Y’know… so a superhero who’s way stronger than real ones, since he’s written to be the strongest, would obey.
“So I broke the fourth wall at subatomic size and appealed to comic fans. All kinds of heroes and teenagers with powers, like Easily Ignorable Girl—Phade now—and Teleport Boy… they saved nearly everyone at Boston Scientific! Except for Greer, L.C. and Dr. Moore.” (L.C. was just talking about Moore!)
“Flex Luther, a male model I’ve worked with for beach shoots, let us borrow his helibus, the Big Banana. We flew to where our people were captured and… well… L.C. was captive. And things Porter said led me to believe the people from World 12 would kill her. So I didn’t wanna fool around. There was a debate about lethal force, and I was convinced that—even in this situation—I should not kill.
“But when one teammate telekinetically lifted the boat fulla soldiers, they kept shooting. So I tried ramming them so they’d fall in the water. My piloting was perfect.” “But the Big Banana had propellers… I just… didn’t think about that.
“The Big Banana also had a sundae bar, but that got ruined from the…”
Nissa sits down in Henri’s palm. She buried her face in her hands. “Four men. Their heads just… became mist. And the worst part… the worst part…”
Unity will be spending some time giving DNA samples. It's a lot harder now that their hide tends to break needles. They seem rather oblivious to all that Nissa's going through right now, too lost in their own worries about how much their thinking may be influenced by PhDestruction's programming to pick up on it.
In addition to helping Zellgato's investigation, they also (after making sure they're safely in a location they can be restrained if something happens) try to see if they can somehow call to mind any directions built into their DNA about where to go to 'return'.
Zellgato will borrow some lab equipment, checking it over, before setting to work out PHD-clones as well as Unities. Taking some samples as well, to mix them together to see if any changes go-Wondering if there was any intention for the clones to affect Unity via a bite or consumption of blood.
"I wonder if there would be a point in Portaling a sample of your blood prior to yourself Unity. We've gone through portals prior, but if you feel being told about the DNA-Directive may have a change now. A sample taken through may show a change. IF we can find a marker in the blood for those triggers."
The Olympian chimes in behind them. "Boston Theoretical must have a prior genetic profile of you, 'Chuck'. Somewhere."
"Several," Unity respond to Theo. "They change."
"If there's something in our DNA affecting our thinking, maybe Scarlett could help us figure it out?" they hypothesize.
Nissa sits down in Henri’s palm. She buried her face in her hands. “Four men. Their heads just… became mist. And the worst part… the worst part…”
Henri brings his hands together so he is cupping the tiny woman.
"So you torture yourself not because you killed these men, but because they died as a result of your actions? There is a difference, I think."
"Several," Unity respond to Theo. "They change."
"If there's something in our DNA affecting our thinking, maybe Scarlett could help us figure it out?" they hypothesize.
The scans of Unity's DNA and Zellgato's comparisons to the clones reveals quite bit.
The DNA of the clones starts with something almost human ... an almost human male ... it then builds in a series of packages that are anything but human ... someone has altered the almost-human DNA in an unusual sophisticated way to build in a series of instructions that would be triggered by certain conditions. On top of that is some less sophisticated recoding of the DNA to add in things like two enclosed chambers for the crude chemical bomb, exceptional speed and reflexes, and a low-level telepathy that could help them communicate to each other. Certain genetic markers reveal that the clones you have are clones of clones of clones going back 73 generations.
Unity's DNA is also genetically programmed, which you knew, but it involves an admixture of the genetic contributions from different creatures with a package of genes--the Chimera difference--that allow different genetic strands to find ways to connect and alter each other without one taking over completely.
"Several," Unity respond to Theo. "They change."
"If there's something in our DNA affecting our thinking, maybe Scarlett could help us figure it out?" they hypothesize.
Phade, hearing this, says, "You should go to the farm! She'll be happy to see you."
L.C. finds Nissa. "Look, I'm going to have to head back to Tarokh. The World 16 group is here and are going to take me. Get everyone there for the Parliament as soon as you can. We're making decisions that will shape the pasts and futures for multiple worlds. Maybe when the meeting is over, I'll be able to focus on ... us."
Henri brings his hands together so he is cupping the tiny woman.
"So you torture yourself not because you killed these men, but because they died as a result of your actions? There is a difference, I think."
“I torture myself because I don’t know if by killing them, I was able to save L.C., or if by hesitating to kill, Colonel Greer died…”
Nissa tells Henri about how she heard a laser canon fire from inside a cargo container…
“There was a tripod with a camera, and a gun on a tripod controlled by the woman onscreen. Ms. Gray! When I toppled both tripods, she activated time bombs on L.C.’s chair and Dr. Moore’s! They were set for just a few seconds, so I acted fast—taking both bombs at once into my pocket dimension.
“I thought I’d be like this forever!” She gestures to her body—which she IS like forever now.
“The day you and I met, I met April. That’s Ms. Gray when she was young. Ms. Gray herself felt remorse for things she’d done and said something to April. It’s funny… because I always wondered if I would bring myself to intentionally kill Ms. Gray, and when I met April and realized who she was, I just saw this beautiful person.
“Sarenrae is the goddess of redemption. Even knowing that… it was a weird feeling to me. The helping April part was easy to grasp. She hadn’t become Ms. Gray yet. But I believe the elder version who killed Greer actually did redeem herself. And it pains me to say that, because I heard the shot fired while there were still warm bits of brain in my hair. All that violence—five lives ended in a minute… and Ms. Gray and I both get to go on, but our victims don’t. And those were military men following orders. They weren’t evil. They had families who loved them and stood by a coffin, knowing only that they served and sacrifice. Four women—mothers or girlfriends—received the folded flag.”
She admits, “I’m only imagining that last part. But aside from a possible boyfriend, father, sibling, best bud… I mean, someone had to take the flag.”
L.C. finds Nissa. "Look, I'm going to have to head back to Tarokh. The World 16 group is here and are going to take me. Get everyone there for the Parliament as soon as you can. We're making decisions that will shape the pasts and futures for multiple worlds. Maybe when the meeting is over, I'll be able to focus on ... us."
Nissa feels a burden is lifted. She knows better than to get sentimental in front of L.C. now, so she keeps her composure.
“Sure, L.C. Anything you need.” Not wanting to ignore the Us part, she adds, “But when it’s you and me, I’m gonna show you a whole new world. I mean… if you consent to that.”
She makes sure to get the details regarding exactly when she and the team should leave for Tarokh.
* * *
She asks Ron to let the team know there’s a big meeting in Tarokh, and the Marshal requests our presence.
Henri brings his hands together so he is cupping the tiny woman.
"So you torture yourself not because you killed these men, but because they died as a result of your actions? There is a difference, I think."
“I torture myself because I don’t know if by killing them, I was able to save L.C., or if by hesitating to kill, Colonel Greer died…”
"I wasn't there, so I don't know. But have you considered that what you did was exactly right? Only your goddess knows and she doesn't appear to have forsaken you..." He pauses, "Actually, I think the fact that you are still concerned that you did the right thing is a positive trait. Don't let it paralyze you, but don't let it go too easily."
"Wisdom of Athena", Theo nods at Henri.
Henri looks up at the godling, surprised. "Thank you, Theo. That's quite a compliment."
Unity's DNA is also genetically programmed, which you knew, but it involves an admixture of the genetic contributions from different creatures with a package of genes--the Chimera difference--that allow different genetic strands to find ways to connect and alter each other without one taking over completely.
Comparing with some of their previous DNA scans, it's clear where Unity's genetic code has self-modified over time. Some of it seems to be in the areas associated with the instructions or their triggers.
Phade, hearing this, says, "You should go to the farm! She'll be happy to see you."
Unity nod in agreement. "It would be good for us to go there. Perhaps we can head there later today?"
Nissa looks back at her Dad, and then to Henri again.
“I… I don’t think I did… I think I always leaned to one side or the other, like I had to be wrong no matter what. I think your perspective helps.
“Like… a lot. Thank you, Henri.”
Henri might feel his hand getting warmer as Nissa’s aura brightens. (He might also see a dark bluish image of her if he blinks while looking at her.)
Henri laughs, ”If you were anyone else, I’d move to hug, but …. you understand.”
Unity nod in agreement. "It would be good for us to go there. Perhaps we can head there later today?"
Phade says, "Excellent plan. Bring clothes suitable for riding."
She then looks Unity over and realizes, perhaps, they aren't much for horse riding. She grins at the thought of the Chimera on a horse.
Looking at some of the DNA packages within Unity and comparing them to some in the clones, it's clear that Unity were supposed to get instructions too. Perhaps, somehow, Unity's uniqueness has suppressed them completely. Perhaps, these packages of genetically programmed 'memories' could explain Unity's exceptionally vivid dreams.
Nissa flies up against Henri’s cheek, and presses against him for a couple seconds.
She then flutters back, hovering with one leg crossed over the other. “That’ll have to pass for a hug,” she says, cheeks notably reddened.
Unity bark a sharp laugh. "We've no intention to wear a saddle," they joke. "Even in bipedal form we're too heavy for most horses, and we wouldn't want to torture them with how we smell like twenty different predators mixed together."
Nissa flies up against Henri’s cheek, and presses against him for a couple seconds.
She then flutters back, hovering with one leg crossed over the other. “That’ll have to pass for a hug,” she says, cheeks notably reddened.
”Je vais le prendre, mon petit ami.” He kisses a fingertip and gently blows across it, ”I will take it.”
Phade seems as anxious to lead an expedition to the farm as one might expect a 20-year-old saddled with a ridiculous amount of responsibility might be. Escaping the office and all of that pressure is what she needs, and she makes sure to ask each of you to come. Scarlett is going to interrogate a PhDuhminion.
In the helicar, Phade is in a good mood. If there weren't a PhDuhminions bound and gagged in the car following your helicar, it could be a holiday in the country from her attitude.
The late Colonel Greer, the commander of the Transdimensional Anomaly Recognition and Observation Task Force made a little bit of money during his freelance days. He did a couple years of private work between his initial military training and his later cloak-and-dagger work and even work with TAROT. He earned enough to let him buy a small horse farm. It's not the kind of farm that would make any money, but it didn't need to. After he died, it eventually went to Scarlett Meadows, his former undercover partner, in more sense than one.
She used to enjoy the quiet there ... so few minds around that weren't horses. It's hard for the world's most advanced telepath to enjoy solitude. She uses it for work and as a home now.
As your helicar descends, you can see that a number of new residential spaces have been added. Several little houses dot the outer perimeter of the farm. A large main building sits not far from the original farm house.
Scarlett Meadows and a redheaded child that can only be Genius Meadows wave at you. Genius was a World XII doppleganger of Scarlett's grandmother.
As you step out of the helicar, one or both of them hits you with a wave of LOVEJOYLOVE.
“‘Don’t split the party’ at this particular moment,” Nissa says, probably quoting someone with The Nerdiest Hobby Ever. “L.C. needs us to do that parliament thing on Tarokh.”
“Hey Scarlett! Maybe you heard what happened. If not, long story.” Nissa tries to think happy thoughts think happy thoughts think happy thoughts so she doesn’t accidentally traumatize the child thinking about my own death.. whoops happythoughtshappythoughtshappythoughtshappythoughtshappythoughtshappythoug htshappythoughtshappythoughtshappythoughtshappythoughtshappythoughtshappyth oughts…
Henri talks to the lab techs about Gay Deceiver before leaving for the farm.
”First off, I’m probably being a little selfish, but I want to do the work on this project. Can you research cloaking technology for the team’s new ship? It would be handy to be able to observe without engaging sometimes. But I need to understand it fully in case it needs repair in the field, so let me do the installation.”
Unity grin--making sure not to show their teeth--as Scarlett and Genius greet the group. "Sorry we didn't drop by earlier, but... as you can imagine, discovering what was days for you was years for your home has been a bit much." "And sorry that part of why we're here is work, but it is good to see you."
They trot up to the pair. "Things have changed here, too," they comment, looking around three ways at the farm.
Zellgato had previous likely stayed for inventory and genetic sequencing. But Nissa's reminder of their future trip. he opts for a vacation. Joining the group.
He'll wave at the incoming empath/psychics. pulling out a bag of candied treats and other souviners from his travels for Genius.
Henri talks to the lab techs about Gay Deceiver before leaving for the farm.
”First off, I’m probably being a little selfish, but I want to do the work on this project. Can you research cloaking technology for the team’s new ship? It would be handy to be able to observe without engaging sometimes. But I need to understand it fully in case it needs repair in the field, so let me do the installation.”