At least for now. That was some explosion.”
“Ah, don’t worry,” the baritone voice purrs. “Doc'll have him patched up in no time. Then we can all have some fun. With both of them.”
The silhouette of Qaara Kapoor floats in Jedd’s mind. He sees her on a chair, staring at that holo in her office. He tries to remember what he saw and heard, but it’s just a jumble of words and images. Frank Mercer himself was there. He wanted Qaara to go with him. Something about a Cloud that’s going to rain down destruction from the sky and melt the world.
She didn’t want to go. She was afraid. He could tell by the look in her eyes. Those perfect eyes.
He can’t hold it back any longer. For the past six months, he’s tried, but the idea keeps fighting its way back to the surface. A voice inside his head screams out.
I’m coming to get you, Qaara, Jedd thinks. To take you away from Genesis. Hold on until I get there.
A blunt object comes down hard on his head. His ears ring. Then he passes out.
13
NEURON SPIRALS
New voices in her mind.
Luca stands in line with the other girls, along one wall of the courtyard. Her gaze rests on the director of the Institution, the woman she calls Cat.
“Welcome to the Fukushima Associated Institution for the Rehabilitation and Education of Radiation Victims.” Cat bows deeply, her head dropping to a point just above her waist. “We are most honored by your presence.”
Another woman bows in reply. Her leather bodysuit reflects the glare of the sun. Black gloves and a face mask over her mouth match the color of her hair, cut in a short bob.
A light transport with Chinese markings waits on the roof of the Institution, its two rotors still spinning in the breeze.
“I don’t have much time. Are you sure it’s safe to be here?” The woman adjusts her mask, pushing it closer into her face. “We’re in the middle of the Death Grid here. An international toxic waste dump. Worse than Beijing.”
Cat smiles and slides the toe of her shoe across the dirt. “With all due respect, you can’t believe all the rumors you hear in Beijing. The soil has been excavated to a depth of three meters for a square mile. We are on an island of cleanliness in an ocean of filth. You're standing on new dirt brought from the foot of Mount Fuji. It’s perfectly safe.”
“What about the wind?” The woman glances at the line of girls along the opposite wall. “Doesn’t it blow radioactive dust in from the outside?”
“During the past two generations, cesium levels from the Accident have dropped to less than a quarter of the original measurements. We constantly monitor radiation.” Cat glances at her slate. “It’s all very safe. As long as you stay inside the fence.” She moves across the courtyard, gently guiding the woman as she walks to the wall where the girls wait. “The only toxic materials are the girls’ brain tissues. But that’s not a worry. As long as you stay outside their minds.”
“Pardon me?” The woman looks up and down the line of girls.
Cat laughs. “I’m sorry. Just a figure of speech. You’re quite safe.”
The woman casts another glance in the direction of the girls, lined up, hands behind their backs. Silent in their clean shirts.
Luca senses the woman’s fear.
The other girls must sense it, too. Luca hears their voices rise in chaos inside her mind.
The visitor follows Cat closer to the line.
Luca’s eyes narrow to concentrate on their words. And their thoughts.
“Your reports got our attention, both in Tokyo and Beijing.” The woman turns to Cat.
“That was my intent.”
“How can they be alive with such high radiation levels inside their skulls?” The woman takes half a step back. “We looked at the scans you sent. Are you certain your conclusions are correct? New structures of neurons?”
“Our methods are unorthodox. That much is true.” Cat cradles the slate in her arm. “But it’s yielding results. As you can see.”
The
“Ah, don’t worry,” the baritone voice purrs. “Doc'll have him patched up in no time. Then we can all have some fun. With both of them.”
The silhouette of Qaara Kapoor floats in Jedd’s mind. He sees her on a chair, staring at that holo in her office. He tries to remember what he saw and heard, but it’s just a jumble of words and images. Frank Mercer himself was there. He wanted Qaara to go with him. Something about a Cloud that’s going to rain down destruction from the sky and melt the world.
She didn’t want to go. She was afraid. He could tell by the look in her eyes. Those perfect eyes.
He can’t hold it back any longer. For the past six months, he’s tried, but the idea keeps fighting its way back to the surface. A voice inside his head screams out.
I’m coming to get you, Qaara, Jedd thinks. To take you away from Genesis. Hold on until I get there.
A blunt object comes down hard on his head. His ears ring. Then he passes out.
13
NEURON SPIRALS
New voices in her mind.
Luca stands in line with the other girls, along one wall of the courtyard. Her gaze rests on the director of the Institution, the woman she calls Cat.
“Welcome to the Fukushima Associated Institution for the Rehabilitation and Education of Radiation Victims.” Cat bows deeply, her head dropping to a point just above her waist. “We are most honored by your presence.”
Another woman bows in reply. Her leather bodysuit reflects the glare of the sun. Black gloves and a face mask over her mouth match the color of her hair, cut in a short bob.
A light transport with Chinese markings waits on the roof of the Institution, its two rotors still spinning in the breeze.
“I don’t have much time. Are you sure it’s safe to be here?” The woman adjusts her mask, pushing it closer into her face. “We’re in the middle of the Death Grid here. An international toxic waste dump. Worse than Beijing.”
Cat smiles and slides the toe of her shoe across the dirt. “With all due respect, you can’t believe all the rumors you hear in Beijing. The soil has been excavated to a depth of three meters for a square mile. We are on an island of cleanliness in an ocean of filth. You're standing on new dirt brought from the foot of Mount Fuji. It’s perfectly safe.”
“What about the wind?” The woman glances at the line of girls along the opposite wall. “Doesn’t it blow radioactive dust in from the outside?”
“During the past two generations, cesium levels from the Accident have dropped to less than a quarter of the original measurements. We constantly monitor radiation.” Cat glances at her slate. “It’s all very safe. As long as you stay inside the fence.” She moves across the courtyard, gently guiding the woman as she walks to the wall where the girls wait. “The only toxic materials are the girls’ brain tissues. But that’s not a worry. As long as you stay outside their minds.”
“Pardon me?” The woman looks up and down the line of girls.
Cat laughs. “I’m sorry. Just a figure of speech. You’re quite safe.”
The woman casts another glance in the direction of the girls, lined up, hands behind their backs. Silent in their clean shirts.
Luca senses the woman’s fear.
The other girls must sense it, too. Luca hears their voices rise in chaos inside her mind.
The visitor follows Cat closer to the line.
Luca’s eyes narrow to concentrate on their words. And their thoughts.
“Your reports got our attention, both in Tokyo and Beijing.” The woman turns to Cat.
“That was my intent.”
“How can they be alive with such high radiation levels inside their skulls?” The woman takes half a step back. “We looked at the scans you sent. Are you certain your conclusions are correct? New structures of neurons?”
“Our methods are unorthodox. That much is true.” Cat cradles the slate in her arm. “But it’s yielding results. As you can see.”
The
Similar Books
