Chapter 107. A Place to Call Home
“What, natural evolution?” Selina adjusted her glasses and gave me a long, searching look. “What exactly are you talking about? Artificially splicing alien genetic code into your own DNA is anything but a natural process.”
“I agree. That is hybridization, and we will get to that later.” I folded my arms and held her gaze without flinching. “When I reported the mission details at the portal, I left one thing out. Besides integrating alien tissue, the system also provides a path for the natural evolution of the human body.”
“And you seriously expect me to buy that? You think I'm an idiot?” Her voice jumped an octave, and a dangerous spark flashed in her eyes. “Tom, I know exactly how your mind works. You never forget anything. You left that out on purpose so I'd inject you with a lethal dose of Omega Plus!”
“It was the only practical decision,” I replied in an even tone that drained the emotion from the conversation. “If you'd known there was another option, you'd have spent hours trying to convince me to take the safer path of natural evolution.”
“And I would've been a million percent right!” She threw up her hands. “Why poison yourself with some experimental crap for a one-time boost when you can use the system's built-in resources instead? Your own body isn't going to put you in an early grave. That's practically a law of nature!”
“If I'd taken the safe route, I would've missed my chance to secure one guaranteed level,” I replied. “Once my body completed its reconstruction, the odds of Omega Plus working a second time would've been close to zero.”
“And what if it had worked?” She narrowed her eyes, tilting her head. “We're dealing with a complete unknown.”
“If my rebuilt body hadn't broken the toxin down before it even reached my bloodstream, we would've had the best possible outcome.” A faint, dry smile touched my lips. “I'd lock in the permanent stat increase from natural evolution, then take Omega Plus again for an artificial surge and claim another level on top of that.”
“Oh my God... I'm having children with a complete psychopath.” Selina pressed a hand to her forehead and let out a long, weary sigh. “What makes you think I have another dose of Omega Plus lying around? I made that sample as a one-off. Nobody else in the world has any use for that deadly steroid.”
“Then you'll make another batch,” I said calmly. “After all, weren't you the one telling me an hour ago that the budget was unlimited?”
“Tom, you're seriously taking advantage of how I feel about you.” She leaned back in her chair and folded her arms across her chest. “Yeah, I care about you. Yeah, I'm carrying your children. But don't even think I'm going to jump every time you snap your fingers and indulge every crazy idea you come up with.”
“We don't even know whether a second dose will be necessary,” I said, cooling her temper with the same steady tone. “Right now it's only a hypothetical scenario. If we ever reach that point, then we'll discuss exactly how I'll compensate you for the expense.”
“Oh, trust me, we'll discuss it. In detail. And don't think you'll get away with nothing more than a bowl of fruit salad.” A sly, unmistakably feminine smile curled her lips. “All right. This natural reconstruction of yours isn't just a theory anymore, is it? You're actually ready to start the process right now?”
“If I wasn't, I wouldn't have wasted time talking about it.”
“The natural evolution of Homo sapiens...” she murmured, thoughtfully tapping a finger against her chin. “If we go by basic Darwinian theory... Our ancestors lost their tails and thick body hair because those traits stopped being useful. Following that logic, your body should get rid of vestigial organs like the appendix or wisdom teeth and replace them with something entirely new...”
“Selina, what's the point of piling theory on top of theory?” I cut into her long explanation. “It would be much more productive to run the process and record the results.”
“I can't argue with that.” She adjusted her glasses, slipping back into business mode. “Do you have a specific activation protocol?”
“There is no official manual, but I'm almost certain the answer is in that lab notebook where you documented your research on my abilities. I read it cover to cover.” The faintest hint of a smile crossed my face. “I was especially impressed by the notes you wrote after binge-watching Pokémon. Watching a kids' cartoon to look for parallels... I respect that.”
“Don't flatter yourself, Ross. That was strictly professional research.” Selina snorted and deliberately turned toward the window. “Besides, with everything we've learned since then, most of those notes are obsolete.”
“Not all of them. I'm convinced the fourth entry contains exactly what we need to start the process.”
She froze, tilting her head like a curious cat as she looked at me. “Then why'd you stop?”
“I figured the author might want to present her own best theory. Professional pride and all that.”
“Nice try, Tom. I don't have an oversized ego.” She sighed lightly. “I don't need applause for scribbles in the margins. Besides, not everyone here has your ridiculous photographic memory. I filled five notebooks like that for different cadets. Do you honestly think I remember exactly what I wrote in yours under item four?”
“Fair enough. My mistake.” I nodded, acknowledging the oversight. “In the fourth entry, you proposed the following model: saturate the body with micronutrients and nutrients, place the subject in an isolated, secure environment, then use the [Special Command] to initiate an internal transformation.”
“Oh, right! The caterpillar-and-butterfly theory.” Her face lit up with instant recognition. “It's simplistic, but experience shows the most fundamental ideas usually are.”
“I came to the same conclusion,” I replied calmly. “So why wait? Let's test the hypothesis right now. You made more than enough protein concentrate, and we're certainly not short on empty rooms.”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Tom, are you seriously expecting me to spend the next few nights in the lab?” she asked quietly, which somehow made her sound even more dangerous. “I haven't even finished organizing the data from your [Demoralization], and now you're trying to dump another massive project on me. It isn't just about pumping you full of protein and putting you on a comfortable cot. I have to document every stage of the metamorphosis for future research. I need to prepare a dedicated isolation chamber, cover it with high-sensitivity sensors, and synchronize the spectral cameras. Setting everything up and calibrating it will take time.”
“How much?”
“Seventy-two hours. Minimum.”
A brazen thought flickered through my mind: walk out, rent a warehouse, mix the formula myself, find an empty corner, and start the process without anyone's help. But that would have been both impractical and unfair to Selina. For all her mood swings, she was still the only person willing to stand by me through these medical experiments.
“Deal.” I gave a short nod. “I'll see you in three days.”
“Oh, don't even think about disappearing for three days.” A sly smile curled her lips. “You'll be here tomorrow, the day after, and every day until the experiment. I still need more data on your [Demoralization]. So get ready to play the monster under the bed for my junior lab techs again.”
“If you're trying to convince me you don't enjoy that part, you're a terrible actress,” I said, catching the familiar mischievous glint dancing in her eyes.
“Oh, just get out of here already!” Selina waved me away and headed for the door, but halfway there she froze, covered her mouth with her hand, and let out a muffled laugh she could not hold back. “Oh, right. I almost forgot... You don't actually have a place of your own in Washington, do you? Want to borrow the cardboard box our CT scanner came in?”
She knew exactly where to hit.
I left the Corps engineering complex without another word. There was no point wasting energy arguing with her. Too much time around Selina consumed far more mental energy than it was worth. Still, she was right about one thing. Washington was only a temporary stop for me, and I had no permanent base there.
Flying back to my apartment in Los Angeles was not an option because Selina needed me available for her research. So I checked into a practical room at an ordinary mid-range hotel with a good hot shower and reliable Wi-Fi.
Later, stretched out on the neatly made bed, I opened my browser and started browsing real estate listings in the District of Columbia. The Corps' primary facilities and infrastructure were based here, and the training camp was only about thirty minutes away by intercity bus.
I found myself drawn to traditional single-family homes with modest yards, the complete opposite of Selina's two-level penthouse. Someday, the kids should have a choice: grow up in a glass tower overlooking the city or kick a soccer ball around in their own backyard.
Washington's housing market looked surprisingly reasonable. Despite being the nation's capital, it lacked New York's inflated prices and obsession with luxury.
The first step would be selling my place on the West Coast. The mortgage on the Los Angeles apartment would be paid off in about a month, and after that I could put it on the market.
I started a video call with my mother. We had not spoken face-to-face in quite a while, and I wanted to see for myself how she was doing after the cellular regeneration treatment.
The ringing stopped, the screen lit up, and for a second I honestly thought the system had connected me to the wrong person. Looking back at me from the screen was a fit young woman in a black leather biker jacket with vivid hot-pink hair.
“Tom! Hey!” She hurried across the familiar living room with her phone in one hand, frantically searching the shelves for something. “Sorry, honey, I'm running late for a concert. Damn it, where'd I put that belt?... Ah, there it is!”
She flashed me a dazzling smile and threaded a wide leather belt with an oversized skull buckle through the loops of her fitted pants. I watched in silence, trying to process what I was seeing. I had only recently gotten used to the fact that my mother now had the body of a woman in her twenties. Nothing could have prepared me to see her looking like she belonged at a rock festival.
“You look... very different,” I said carefully.
“Oh, you like it?” She twirled a strand of her bright pink hair around a finger. “It was Stephanie's idea. She talked me into updating my wardrobe and trying a new look. It suits me, doesn't it?”
“Wait a second. Stephanie? Our neighbor downstairs?”
“Yep. We're actually heading to a club together.”
“Mom.” My voice turned firm. “Unless I'm remembering wrong, she originally tried to get close to the Corps through me.”
“So what? I'm not the one serving in the Corps.” She dismissed the concern with a casual wave while checking herself in the mirror. “Stephanie thinks I'm your distant cousin who's staying with family for a while. We've been having a great time together.”
“All right.” I sighed, knowing a lecture would accomplish nothing. “Just be careful, and don't tell her anything she doesn't need to know.”
“I remember every security rule you gave me,” she said with an easy smile. “So why'd you call? Everything okay?”
“Nothing urgent. I just wanted to make sure you're settling into your new life.”
“Everything's wonderful! Oh, Stephanie's honking outside. I've got to go. We'll talk later. Love you!”
The screen went dark.
I had not been completely honest with my mother. The call had originally been about business. I had planned to ask her to get the California apartment ready to sell by taking professional-looking photos, gathering the paperwork for a realtor, and listing the property online.
But after seeing her so full of life, with a future that had only just begun to unfold through new friends and new passions, I realized I had no right to turn her back into a housekeeper following me from place to place. She was no longer a frail old woman counting down the days she had left. She deserved a life of her own and the freedom to enjoy it.
That settled it. The California apartment would stay with her. If I wanted to buy a house in Washington, I would have to find another source of financing. Maybe it was time to take on another mortgage.
Three days slipped by in a blur of financial planning, paperwork, and daily visits to Selina's lab for another round of testing. Late on the third day, my phone rang.
“Everything's installed and calibrated, Tom. Head over.”