Spliced
A short story
By
Frank Booker
Copyright © August 29, 2014 by Frank Booker
All Rights Reserved.
Table of Contents
July 17, 2027 13:00
July 17, 2027 19:30
September 20, 2027 18:40
September 21, 2027, 01:30
October 13, 2027, 07:30
December 14, 2027, 06:30
July 17, 2027 13:00
A national forest in the jungle of Brazil
Jason felt the impact as Lori swung her open hand and caught him full on the side of his face. Staggered, he reeled away from Lori. She followed through with a grab at Jason’s hair, but the short growth slipped through her fingers, and she felt her elbow and forearm caught in Jason’s vise-like grip as both of his hands grabbed and twisted. He lunged into her and she felt her feet leave the ground. He spun and heaved her through the air. She landed on her back three feet away, and Jason followed through with a vicious kick to her head, but Lori rolled into Jason’s feet, blocked the kick, grabbed his ankle and rolled forward onto her own feet. She lifted both of his feet off the ground and spilled him onto his back.
“Enough!” Lori said as she stepped away from him.
“I thought I was pretty crafty, luring you into that try for my hair,” he gasped, “but you had it planned, didn’t you?” He seemed only a little shaken up by the fall. She took his outstretched hand and helped him to his feet.
“You okay? That was a pretty hard landing.”
“Nothing hurt but my ego,” he said as he got up and shook himself to readjust his joints and bones.
“The problem was, you only made a half-hearted lunge into me. This made the throw awkward. Against a heavier opponent, you would have failed. Next time step harder into your opponent. Then the lift is almost automatic, and his weight will help your throw--make it more effective. Also, you were slow on the follow-through.”
. “I guess I had it coming. Tomorrow it’s small arms. That’s where I’ll out-gun you.”
“You always do,” she said.
“Let’s get some lunch, and then it’s time for my Council meeting. You have a field exercise this afternoon, don’t you?”
“Right. I’m taking my juniors on a 15 mile forced hike with heavy pack and a simulated combat exercise after that.” They started on the path toward the common dining area. “Jason, about that Council meeting ...” she stammered.
“I know how you feel about assimilation,” he said. “We’ve talked about it a lot.”
“I've been pretty up front about not wanting us to try it at this time. Ever since the attack on the World Trade Center and the Pan-Arabic wars, the US has been a brutal, xenophobic society. They're also almost totalitarian. Their government has been co-opted by big money, and their middle class is kept in ignorance and just a notch above poverty. They'll try to destroy us."
“You’re not shy about it, that’s for sure. Your passion borders on vehemence ... but I understand your feelings.”
“Jason, you’re right. Maybe I have been too vehement. I’m not very good in the feminine wiles department. That could be why I’ve been disregarded. But my reasoning is sound. I just want to tell you what’s in my heart. I love each and every one of us, especially you and Bill. I have gone over all the historical and sociological reasons against trying for assimilation at this time."
“We are very near the self-sustaining point. The impetus assimilation will give us will ensure our readiness to help humanity survive.”
“I worry society is not ready for us. I dread their reaction. If they find out where we are, it could mean the end of us.”
“When Bill began his gene splicing technique on humans, he could not have dreamed how successful he would be. There are over a thousand of us, and at half the height of other people, we only use up a quarter of the resources a thousand normal sized people would use. Bill knows we need to increase our population. We need the funding the governments of the world can give us. Don’t you believe in Bill, and the Splicing project? He's like a father to me."
“He's like a father to all of us, so, yes, I believe in Bill. I also believe in you, and all of us. We are absolutely right; the human race needs us. The way things are going with the environment, the way resources are getting more and more scarce, the way the world's population is growing exponentially, I see nothing but misery in humanity's future if it continues on the same path. Already billions are facing famine. Political unrest will continue to cause more and more national paranoia among those countries where the money controls the populace. Because of our smaller impact on the ecology of our planet, we are the hope of all of us, both spliced and non-spliced alike. It is only out of a fear for all of us that I am against trying to assimilate right now.”
“The reason Bill is so strong about trying at this time may be his health. He has a heart condition, and he’s afraid if he doesn’t get it done now, the opportunity will be lost.”
“Bill’s health is important, but not for our people. You and Jon have both surpassed Bill in molecular biology. You’re making us more disease resistant, stronger, and more resilient. I just don’t want to rock the boat at this time.
“Yeah, we’re all of those things, and smart, too. But our population growth rate needs to double for us to have the kind of impact on society that will help deal with the calamity that’s already here because of climate change.”
“If we try to assimilate now, I feel the worst will happen. Both we and society may not be ready for it, and that could be bad for all of us.”
“Lori, the Council has decided. Bill is going to New York to talk to the UN. He’s going to hold a press conference and perhaps get us on the Today Show. He knows a network producer who can arrange it. From there he hopes to appeal to the UN General Assembly. He wants to take two of us with him--as a demonstration. I’ve already asked him if I can go.”
Lori was stunned. “What are you saying? You can’t go! We need you here. If something should happen, what would we do? What would I do?” She knew she loved Jason, and she knew he loved her, too, even though they had never spoken of it. Now it was all turning to ashes. She tried to quell the rush of anger she felt. She needed to remain in control. She worked to smooth out her scowl as she looked at Jason.
“Lori, I know how you feel, but I have to do what I think is right.” He stopped and turned her toward him, pulling her into an embrace. “I have to do this. The one thing that would make it perfect is if you were with me.” He looked at her, his deep brown eyes washing over her.
She melted into him, knowing as she did, she had lost this battle. She was the tough one, always strident, always passionate. he was the easygoing one, always thoughtful and reasoned. That was why they were so good together. She pushed him into being more aggressive, making himself the formidable foe he was, but he smoothed her rough edges and made her more compliant. How would she make it without him?
“It’s almost time for the Council meeting,” he said. “I know they’ll let me go with Bill. It’s just a matter of who will come with us.” He looked away for a second. “I wanted this to be at a better time, but things are moving too fast.” He looked at her again, searching her face for a sign of softening in her stance against this move. “I want you to come with me,” he said, “but I want you to come as my wife. Will you marry me?”
Lori had wanted to hear those words from Jason for a long time. But now they turned into a painful twist in her gut. Of course she wanted to marry him. Of course she loved him and she knew he loved her. What was she going to do? She gave him a fearful look and started to speak, but he held up his hand to interrupt her.
“Don’t say anything right now,” he said. “ This is a very
important decision and you need to take some time to think about it. After the Council, I’m meeting my biology lab students to set them up with some work to do while I’m gone. You have your forced march and combat exercise. I’ll come by your place this evening and we’ll talk about it then. I hope you’ll go with me. You’ll make me the happiest guy on the planet.” He gave her a kiss and walked away. As he left he turned and gave her a big smile. “I’ll see you tonight honey. I love you!”
“You, too.” Lori watched Jason as he headed down the path. His dark skin was a sharp contrast to the white tee shirt and shorts he wore. He was a rugged man, no taller than she was, but with a chiseled strength that rooted him to the ground. He looked younger than his twenty-five years, with a wide, handsome face that radiated good will. He would be a natural on this mission. His smile always melted her, in spite of herself. There was a need for people like him in the world--and in her heart. He stirred the song in her. What was she going to do? She would talk to Andrew, the commander of the group’s military and her immediate superior. He was taking part in the forced march, so they would be able to discuss it. He had a good head on his shoulders, and he would help her make the right decision.
July 17, 2027 19:30
Lori’s apartment