What Rough Beast
Prologue "Things fall apart, "The subjects vitals are within tolerable levels." Mit'gai informed Zo'or. Tilting one hand upward, fingers splayed, he continued; "The CVI appears to be stabilizing the fetuses energy." "Will this be a viable hybrid?" Zo'or demanded. "The Kimerian DNA acts as a cohesive. It balances the Human and Taelon DNA and binds them together." The Taelon physician explained. "There remains the possibility that this experiment will fail as the others did, however the results of my tests are quite promising." "How long will it take to mature?" Snapped Zo'or. He was annoyed with the long-winded scientist. A simple yes or no answer was all he required, yet Mit'gai persisted in explaining every aspect in excruciating detail. "Because of it's mixed DNA, maturation requires a substantially longer period of time." Turning back toward his work station, Mit'gai reviewed his data. "Approximately 2 months in the womb. Roughly three years of development will be necessary before procreation is possible." His hand slashing downward in anger, Zo'or snarled; "Is there no way to increase it's rate of growth?" "From past experiments, we can..." Mit'gai began. Zo'or raised his hand once more, forestalling the imminent lecture. "A yes or no will suffice." "No." The physician stated coldly. His tone of voice allowed no argument. Signing in resignation, Zo'or turned away. "I must report your findings to Quo'on. Continue searching for faster methods." Mit'gai sputtered in indignation; "Without the Kimerian hybrid or it's test results, I can do nothing more." "Then you should not have lost the data." Zo'or reasoned emotionlessly as he sauntered toward the doors. "Pray Quo'on finds your outcome satisfactory."
Chapter 1 "What infinite hearts ease must kings neglect that private men enjoy?" Part 1 His head tilted slightly to the side, Liam concentrated once more. Sweet trickled from his brow and down his pale cheeks. His green eyes virtually blazed as they focused intently on his left hand. An intense, burning pain steadily increased, climbing upward from his palm. His arm trembled violently, sending occasional spasms through his slight frame. As of yet, he had not been able to produce even a spark from his injured sha'kara'vah. Roughly four months had passed since his rescue from the Moonbase. He'd spent that time slowly regaining his strength. The clinic and its small staff were quite vigilant. He had eventually accepted their presence, although he only allowed Dr. Belman within touching distance. His father and adopted mother spent as much time with him as their jobs allowed, however that added up to rarely more than three times a week. Sandoval brought new books with each visit. The diversity of genre and subject matter kept his agile mind occupied, thus allowing him the push aside his earliest memories. Lili on the other hand encouraged him to act his age. She brought puzzles, movies, and sometimes junk food. She told him about her friends: a hacker named Augur, a Resistance Operative posing as a Companion Protector named William Boone -- whom he'd met briefly -- a young cell leader named Hayley, and many others. Brushing the back of his right head against his forehead, Liam sighed in exhaustion. His sha'kara'vah had healed from the careless dissection the Taelon scientists had submitted him to, yet it remained unproductive. Slipping off the edge of the bed, his bare feet smacked against the cold tiles. He paced across the room and crouched before his stack of well worn books. Of all the books his father brought, he enjoyed the sci-fi/fantacy the most: Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman's Death Gate Cycle and Star Of Guardians series', CJ Cherryh's Faded Sun, Modesitt Jr.'s Recluse Saga, and Melanie Rawn's Exiles. However he was also intrigued by the many history books pertaining to mythology and religion. This planet contained a treasure trove of knowledge worthy of the Kimerian Archives. Plucking an unread volume off the top, he padded back to his bed. Liam flipped back the maroon cover and briskly passed the introduction of The African Origin of Civilization. He found anything related to Egypt and its megalithic structures fascinating. The mysterious building techniques, highly controversial issues surrounding construction time periods, and similarities between distant cities of like design held him in thrall. Leaning back against the wall, Liam settled in for a long evening of peaceful reading. Part 2 "I think he should be brought down." Boone repeated. Doors was being his usual condescending self. He considered Liam little better than the Taelon's, and of no more use than a pawn to keep Sandoval in line. "You're not bringing some basterd alien down here." Doors growled. "This isn't a damn daycare, for gods sake" Augur, sitting in a swivel chair before his computer screen, spun about. "Kid knows all about the Taelon's, maybe he could help." Muttering obscenities beneath his breath, Doors stalked out of the room. Lili shook her head as she pushed off the wall she'd been leaning against. "Let me talk to him." Following the angered billionaire, Lili made her way across the underground base. She effortlessly pushed his office door open. "I don't want to hear it, Captain." Doors stated without preamble. "Damn it Doors, the kid has an entire library in his head. I took him samples of the earliest text Renee's 'experts' brought back from Me'al's ship. He interpreted in a matter of minutes what took your people years to figure out." Sighing in exasperation, she yelled; "He's a walking encyclopedia." "We've done just fine without him so far," snarled the enraged leader. "He might be able to help us build our own shuttle." Reasoned Lili. She ignored the mans tirade, knowing full well his anger was directed at his own son rather than Liam. "Besides, aren't we all safer if we can keep a constant eye on him?" Joshua's suggestion concerning the upcoming Presidential Election had caused a great dial of concern. Doors was needed in the Resistance, yet the possible control the Presidency would offer was quite tempting. It would not only give him a platform to launch an official investigation into Taelon activities, it would allow him to personally mediate those activities. Such an opportunity was surely to good to be true. Sighing, Doors finally agreed with the group consensus. He put full responsibility of the hybrid into Lili's hands. Strict rules were to be laid out and followed without determent.
Chapter 2 "Nature commits no errors; Part 1 "As with any member of the Commonality, we may be capable of tracking the hybrid through his link." Zo'or stated . His cold, emotionless voice barely contained the hatred he harbored for the Human/Kimerian crossbreed. His disgust for the bastard child rippled throughout the fathomless multitude of the Commonality. " As I recall, his link is very slight. Not only is he fully capable of concealing such a connection, he is also capable of severing it all together." Quo'on dismissed the idea. "Your own actions would have ensured that outcome." "He is very young and still not in control of his abilities." Zo'or argued. His facade shimmered spasmodically for a brief instant. Sighing in tolerance of the young and often over exuberant Taelon, Quo'on tilted his head in reluctant acceptance before dismissing the child. Zo'or quickly retreated from the bridge of the Mother ship. Finally having received permission for the hunt, he returned to the Moon base via Portal. Part 2 In the gray confines of the small elevator, Liam restlessly fidgeted. His black booted feet shuffled against the cold metal floor. The compact compartment reminded him of his holding cell on the Taelon Moon base. He didn't like being stuck in such a minuscule area. "Liam, do you have to use the bathroom?" Lili questioned softly. Her lithe frame casually slouched against the opposite wall of the elevator. His feet stopping in mid-motion, Liam looked down sheepishly. "There's nothing to be worried about." Lili chuckled. Gently ruffling his shaggy, dirty blond locks, she reasoned; "These are my friends. They wont hurt you." Looking up, the young hybrid smiled halfheartedly. He took a deep breath through his nose, closing his eyes in the process. Releasing the air in a slow wave from his mouth, Liam opened his gray -green eyes. He repeated this calming technique until the elevator finally stopped. The doors slid apart to reveal stone walls and metal floors. A metal grating staircase led down from the elevator, while another lead upward to a second floor. Computers and other equipment crowded the area below. Rooms sequestered off to the side of the main room, were barely visible from the landing. "It's about time." Chirped a short, colored, bald man. "Hey Kid. I'm Augur." The man before Liam thrust forward a dark hand. Taking the offered appendage in his own, Liam whispered softly; "Liam." "Well, common Kid, I'll give you the grand tour." Augur excitedly announced. Liam glanced at Lili. Receiving a nod of confirmation, he quickly followed the small man. Lili silently watched as Augur dragged Liam around the small room. The young hybrid appeared especially fascinated by the computer system. His usual shyness was pushed to the back burner, so to speak, as his inherent curiosity took center stage. Augur seemed more than happy to answer any question. "He's coming out of his shell." A soft voice affirmed. Turning, Lili spotted Boone leaning against the stair rail. He smiled softly in greeting. Lili looked back across the room, watching as Augur showed Liam his latest holo-image: Holo-Lili Barbie. Shaking her head in disgust, the Captain chuckled; "I think we better move them along before Augur corrupts him." Boone smirked and pushed of the railing. Walking across the room, the Protector dropped a hand on Augur's right shoulder. Squeezing gently, Boone suggested; "How about we show Liam his room?" "But..." Augur started to argue. Boone shook his head in amusement, "He's living here now, you can play later." "I guess." Augur reluctantly conceded. "Let's go Kid." The four left the room, slowly surcomventing the rock halls of HQ. Finally stopping before a closed door, Augur placed his fingers on the keypad about half way up the wall. "Now, close your eyes." Eyes widening, Liam's head jerked from Augur to Lili. He took an anxious step backwards. Shaking his head in refusal, the young man edged away from the group. Seeing the sudden panicked expression, Lili quickly moved to reassure him. "It's OK, Augur just wanted you to be surprised." The dark haired women appeased. "You don't have to close your eyes and I'll be with you the whole time." Liam regarded her silently for a long moment, then slowly nodded in acceptance. Receiving the equivalent of an OK from Lili, Augur entered the access code. Liam watched as the door swished open to reveal a small room, then waited until Lili entered before following. The wall directly across from and the wall to the left of the door, were both lined with book cases. Most of the shelves were packed with new, unread novels. Against the wall to the right of the door, rested a full sized bed. A large green and ivory quilt hung on the wall behind the bed. A throw rug woven with multiple shades of green, lay sprawled across the center of the floor. It's thick, woolen material created a perfect nest for the gray and white kitten curled amidst the fabric. Liam gasped softly at the sight of the tiny bundle of fur. Slowly crouching beside it, he gently nudged it with his index finger. Stretching it's small paws full length, the kitten yawned widely. Liam jerked back in surprise and promptly ended up on his butt. He stared at the creature in shock as it rolled onto it's back and went back to sleep. Snickers forced Liam to take his eyes off the kitten. Looking up, he saw his three companions barely suppressing outright laughter. Scowling, he glanced back at the kitten. He carefully picked the beast up and watched as it nuzzled into his open palm. A smile of pleasure curved his thin lips upward. "Do you like it Liam?" Boone asked softly. He had moved closer while Liam was inspecting the kitten. Resting on one knee, he knelt beside the young hybrid. "My mother had one just like it." Liam whispered in awe. Placing a hand on the boys shoulder, Boone reassured him. "It's yours." "What are you going to name her?" Lili asked. "Brighid" Liam's deep voice was so very soft. "She was my Mother's patron goddess." Furrowing her eyebrows, Lili questioned; "I thought the Irish were Protestant?" "Some, like my Mother, still follow the old ways. Brighid was the goddess of healing and fertility." In a breathy murmur he confided. "Mum always wanted a child." Trying to lighten the mood, Augur suggested; "Why don't you take a look around your room, Kid." Gently cradling the tiny creature in his palm, Liam stood. He closed his thumb over the kitten for protection. It turned onto it's side and curled around the base of his thumb before dozing once more. As Liam inspected the titles, he suddenly noticed an odd pressure in his head. Although not quite a headache, the feeling wasn't exactly pleasant either. Somehow, he felt he should know what the cause was. However, the memory was buried far to deep to delve into now. Shrugging in dismissal, he pushed the topic aside for another time.
Chapter 3 "If after every tempest comes such calms, Part 1 Liam's index finger lightly touched the computer screen. The small half circle bisected by a long, thin line directly above his ivory digit, resembled an 'E' with an elongated center rung. "This one means..." He drew in a soft breath. "It looses a great deal in the translation, I'm afraid. It stands for Divine Justice or Judged from Without." He shrugged his shoulders. *Fat lot of help he is.* *How does he do that?* It felt like the whisper of butterfly wings. The words fluttered against the edges of his mind, just out of reach. Like something seen from the corner of his eyes, the thoughts disappeared the moment he searched for them. The spite and anger, however slammed into him with all the force of a punch. "Perhaps if I knew the contexts, I could be of more help." Liam quickly offered in repentance. *And let you run back to your masters with everything we know.* Liam was barely capable of suppressing the flinch as the hate filled words collided with his brain. He grimaced in pain as images of Taelon's assaulted his seances. Since he'd moved into the underground base nearly a week before, the strange buzzing and slight pressure had steadily increased. When alone, it felt almost like someone was pressing on his temples. Although, in the company of others, it increased to a blinding, agonizing throb The buzzing however, was another matter entirely. What began as the purr of bees, had slowly become the emotions and thoughts of those around him. Initially, only the strongest feeling surfaced. Gradually, whole sentences filtered through his defenses. Until finally, no matter where he went, he couldn't escape the voices. It was almost as bad as the sharing Zo'or had forced. His thoughts were interrupted by Augur's voice. "...to Doors." The hacker finished. Doors growled a fierce NO before stalking out of the room. "Sorry Kid, the old mans got a God complex." Augur apologized softly. "He doesn't trust me." Liam whispered. Gently patting the boys shoulder, Augur tried to reassure him. "He's just gotta get used to having you around." Liam shock his head, flinching slightly as pain radiated up the base of his skull. He murmured unequivocally. "He hates me." *Poor kid.* The hacker sighed. "Come on Kid, lets finish this up." Nodding marginally, the hybrid leaned forward to study the screen once more. Part 2 "Liam it's time to get up." Lili walked across the room and pulled the hybrids blanket aside. "We were supposed to meet Sandoval half an hour ago." "Go 'way!' Liam muttered. Rolling over he covered his face with his pillow. "Come on lazy bones, you can't stay in bed all day." Laughing gently, Lili yanked the pillow away. She leaned forward and brushed the thick locks from his forehead. She gasped in shock. "God Liam, you're burning up." "Ummm. Head hurts." The hybrid murmured. His voice thick with sleep, the Captain barely understood him. Quickly leaving the room, she grabbed a passing figure by the arm. "Go tell Augur to get Dr. Belman down here now." She snapped before running into the bathroom. Gabbing a clothe, she ran it under cold water. Once rung out sufficiently, she jogged back to Liam's room. Lili gently placed the cool clothe on the boys forehead. "Hot." Liam whispered. Hi voice barely coherent, he groaned. "Voices." "Shhh... I know you're hot, sweaty." She caressed his cheek. "Dr. Belman's on her way." "What the hells going on?" Doors demanded as he stalked in the room. "He's sick Jonathan, what does it look like?" Lili snapped. Liam rolled away, burying his head against the wall, he moaned softly. "Make 'em stop." Lili gently rubbed his back. "Shhh... It's all right" "If he's contagious, I want him out of here." Doors growled angrily. "For gods sake, he..." The Captain started. "Noooo!" Curling in a tight ball, the hybrid wrapped his arms tightly around his head. "Get outa my head." Throwing a glare at Doors, Lili turned back to Liam. She carefully rubbed his back while she waited for Dr. Belman's arrival.
Chapter 4 "Hold tight to dreams; Part 1 "What do you mean you can not find it?" Zo'or snapped. His fists balled at his sides, the youngest Taelon glared hatefully at Mit'gai. A long suffering sigh escaped the scientists lips before he explained. "I mean, it is as though he does not exist. He is either not a part of the Commonality or..." "Or?" Snarled Zo'or. His ridged body shook with barely suppressed rage. "I warned you that the injury to his sha'kara'vah' could cause death if not properly treated." Mit'gai growled defiantly. "He had been exhibiting signs of infection before his departure, it is doubtful he is still alive." Furious, Zo'or backhanded the scientist. Mit'gai stumbled backwards. His facade rippled spasmodically. He frantically scrambled for a handhold, before painfully hitting a bio-bed. Slumping to the floor, he gasped for breath. Zo'or advanced menacingly upon the injured Taelon. Sinking to his knees, Zo'or gently touched the scientists cheek. The younger Companion leaned forward, caressing the pale flesh of Mit'gai's face with his breath "If the hybrid has entered the void, you will be joining it shortly." Part 2 "It has been brought to my attention that a Human/Kimerian hybrid escaped from a secure facility recently." Da'an waved aside the data-stream he'd been studying. "It is most urgent that this creature be apprehended before he can cause any harm." His brows furrowing in confusion, Boone questioned; "I thought you said Ha'gel was the last of his species." "That is not your concern." Turning away, the Taelon slowly paced toward the virtual glass windows of his office. "If I'm hunting this thing down, I need as much information as possible." Boone argued. "I want to know if there's a chance I'll be Blue-tanked again." Sighing softly, Da'an tilted a single hand upward. Splaying his iridescent fingers, he reluctantly conceded. "The hybrid is Ha'gel's offspring. He must be taken alive at all costs." "How's that possible? Ha'gel was only on Earth for a few days." Boone feigned ignorance. "It hasn't even been nine months since his death." "You do not understand Kimerian physiology." Da'an explained. "A Kimerian offspring is fully functional within the first few moments of birth -- or the equivalent of birth." "What do you mean the 'equivalent'?" Curiosity of the Kimerian in general won over Boone's need to fool Da'an. The Taelon closed his eyes before responding softly. "The Kimera were beings of pure energy. Where as we are trapped in a physical, corporeal form, they were completely insubstantial. Although they were capable of merging into an embodied personage; much like our natural..." "I thought Taelon's were pure energy?" Boone interrupted. "In a manor of speaking. Energy to a Taelon, is as blood is to a Human. Our coalescence is an intrinsic part of our nature. The skin or facade is merely a shell to allow better Humans relations." Da'an confirmed. With a sigh of slight exasperation at the interruption, he continued. "Kimera however, were wholly divorced from any structure or alignment. A body was rarely needed since they had the ability to 'appropriate' other's forms for a short time. The only purpose a body served was breeding. Each offspring contains the inherent memories of both 'parents', thus they are immediately capable of joining society." Arching a brow, the Protector asked. "How do they transfer the memories. Is it incoded in their DNA?" "The offspring is simply a small amount of combined energy from two joined Kimera." The Tealon corrected. "If only one Kimerian was involved, then a large amount of energy from two hosts became necessary. However, that method of procreation was very rare." "Almost like diverting electricity to several different outlets." Mused Boone thoughtfully. "Since they were pure energy, could several Kimera unite to create one entity." Da'an's eyes snapped open. Without turning, he quickly changed the subject, deliberately ignoring the Commanders question. "I have transferred an image and a description of his physical characteristics to your global. You will acquire Agent Sandoval's assistance on this matter. Is that understood?" Withdrawing the small device from his coat pocket, Boone snapped it open. After a moment, he stated. "It doesn't mention why he is such a danger. How much harm could a six month old be?" Turning, the Companion regarded his Protector somewhat less calmly than usual. "Age makes little difference, it will still be fully grown and very dangerous." For a moment, the two regarded one another in silence. Then bowing his head slightly, Boone turned and left the chamber.
Chapter 5 "There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Part 1 Dr. Belman carefully removed the blood pressure cuff from Liam's left bicep. Recording the results in her laptop, she reviewed the information retrieved since arrival. His temperature was over one hundred and rapidly rising. His heart rate, at nearly ninety beats per minute, was much faster than normal. Although it would be considered low for a Human, Liam was not fully Human. When she'd arrived, Liam had been curled in a ball at the far corner of his bed. His arms wrapped securely around his head, he refused to acknowledge anyone's presence. Julienne had been forced to sedate him in order to run her tests. He'd been moved to the small medbay within HQ, where she'd run every test she could imagine on him. She had thus far found no reason for his current physical state. Turning away from her patient, she reached for a syringe. Perhaps a new sample of blood would give her the answers she needed. "Dr. Belman." Augur yelled as he ran past the glass partition and into the room. "I've got it." Sighing tiredly, Julienne stretched, rolling her head to remove the kinks from her neck. "What have you found, Augur?" "I took the scans of Liam's brain waves you just got and compared it to an older set." Typing several commands on the laptop, Augur transferred the information from his computer to the one in Medbay. Two almost identical infrared images appeared on the screen. Pointing to a small section on the left side of one of the brains, the hacker then pointed to the same area on the other brain. "See how this area is yellow, almost orange, on the original scan? On the new one it's bright red, nearing maroon. I don't know what it does, but it's the only difference I can find." Dr. Belman sat in quiet contemplation for several minutes. "Do you remember Katya Petrenko?" "Yeah, that Russian psychic." Augur vaguely remembered the women. Boone and Lili had brought her down after a successful, although time delayed, assassination attempt. "Clairvoyant." Dr. Belman clarified. She tapped the screen with one index finger. "This is the section of the brain associated with clairvoyance, telepathy, and telekinesis." "You mean the kid can read peoples minds?" The hacker blanched. "From his obvious distress, I'd say he isn't doing it on purpose." Julienne reasoned. "How do you make it stop?" Demanded Augur. "We can't leave him like this." "What about that friend of yours, Madam Marie? Do you think she'd be willing to help him try and control it?" The Doctor asked. She was concerned that if the Taelon's somehow discovered this, they might try to kill him rather than simply capture him. Rubbing the back of his neck, Augur grimaced. "I can ask her." "Thank you." Turning back to her patient, Julienne pulled a soft blue blanket up to the boys shoulders. Gently smoothing his hair from his forehead, she whispered. "Don't you worry, honey. You'll be just fine." Part 2 His elbows resting on his knees, Agent Sandoval sat quietly on a cast-iron park bench. He watched as children played with kites and dogs. Although he was envious of the youth their parents got to experience, he wouldn't exchange Liam for anything in the world. The past several months had been some of the best in his life. The only thing missing was Dee Dee. Although he missed Soibhan a great deal, he hadn't actually loved her. With time, their relationship might have gotten to that point. Unfortunately, the Taelon's didn't see a personal life as beneficial to ones job. Otherwise, he wouldn't be left with only the memories of his beloved Dee Dee. "Sandoval." Lili's voice interrupted the Agent's silent contemplation. Jerking to his feet, he quickly turned. The smile that had been his usual greeting to Liam, faltered and disappeared as he spotted only Captain Marquette "Where's Liam?" The Agent demanded in concern. "He wasn't feeling well, so..." Lili began. Sandoval interrupted angrily. "What is this, some kind of game? Doors wants more information, so instead of just asking, he wont let me see my son till I pay up." "No!" Lili swiftly tried to quell the older mans anger. "He really is sick. Dr. Belman's checking him right now." "What's wrong with him?" Questioned the Agents worried voice. "I want to see him." "He has a headache and a fever. You know I can't take you there, Sandoval." The Marine tried to reason. Sandoval spun away. Pacing quickly, almost savagely back and forth, he growled. "I don't give a damn where your secret hide-out is. Blindfold me, drug me, I don't care." He stopped suddenly. Throwing Lili a pleading look, he begged. " Just let me see him." Marquette stared at him for a moment before finally retrieving her global from her pocket. "Just a minute." Stalking several feet away, she quietly argued Sandoval's case. After a short conversation, she walked back to the Agent. "All right, but you do exactly as I tell you." Sadoval put up his hands in surrender. "Fine. Anything." Nodding, Lili slowly began walking backward. "We're going to meet someone, then take you from there." Spinning on her heel, she quickly began the long walk back to her shuttle. Sandoval almost had to resort to running to keep up with the agitated women. But keep up he did. He'd follow her to Hell to see Liam.
Unfinished
The center cannot hold,
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world..."
- William Butler Yeats
- William Shakespeare
Right and wrong are human categories.
- Frank Hubert
May the winds blow till they have waken'd death,"
- William Shakespeare
For if dreams die,
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly."
- Langston Hughs
Than are ever dreamt of..."
- William Shakespeare
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