15. Jade

15

JADE

As I make my way toward the Cavern of Memory, my mind is buzzing with anticipation. Finding more Rakuium has opened up a world of possibilities, and I can't wait to see what insights Zavra might have to offer.

Lost in thought, I don't notice Jillian until she's right in front of me, a huge grin plastered across her face. She looks like the cat that caught the canary which puts me on guard.

"Jade!" She's practically bouncing on her toes. "How was your quest with Zeleck? Orgasmic , I hope."

I blink, unsure what to say. "Um, well, we found some Rakuium, and I'm on my way to talk to Zavra about it now."

Jillian's grin only widens, and she shakes her head. "That's not what I'm asking, and you know it."

Before I can respond, she grabs my wrist and taps on my TEASE. I feel a surge of irritation when I realize what she's looking for. She's disappointed by what she reads the display. "No baby yet?"

My face reddens, and I yank my wrist away. "Zeleck and I aren't mates, Jillian."

Jillian waggles her eyebrows. "Maybe not officially, but something happened while you two were away. I can see it in that rosy glow on your cheeks."

My blush deepens, and I duck my head, suddenly finding the ground very interesting. "I'm not the kind to kiss and tell. There might have been a little fooling around, but that's it. No bonds were consummated, no forevermore commitments made."

Jillian laughs, holding up her hands in a gesture of surrender. "Fine. I'll let it go. For now, anyway."

I'm about to tell her to let it go permanently when Alana rushes up, her face lined with worry. I hope she's not going to pretend she missed me or something. I've started to re-think how I feel about her, but I'm not ready to make any major changes in our relationship.

Alana looks at Jillian. "Did you tell her yet?"

Jillian shakes her head. "I haven't had a chance. We were just…catching up."

"Tell me what?" I ask. "What's going on?"

Jillian opens her mouth to respond, but Alana cuts her off. "Zavra has intercepted more Earth Gov communications that you need to read."

The look on Jillian's face alarms me. She knows as well as I do that Earth Gov communications rarely contain good news.

"That's where I was headed anyway. Let's go!" I take off toward the Cavern of Memory, my strides purposeful and quick.

Alana and Jillian are right behind me, their faces grim and determined. Grumpy Kam, the Rakui who most often guards the sacred space, waves us through the entrance with his signature scowl.

My legs are shaky as I wait for Alana to pull up the messages Zavra intercepted. "Can one of you give me a hint of what this is about?"

"It'll be better if you read the comms first," Alana says. "Then, we can discuss what they mean."

Ugh. That doesn't sound ominous at all.

I try to take deep breaths, but anxiety tightens in my chest. Jillian fidgets beside me, her usual fun-loving demeanor temporarily gone. When the messages finally appear on the screen, I see why.

General Donovan:

Dr. Novak, I need an update on Operation Species Survival Model. The brass is breathing down my neck for results.

Dr. Novak:

General Donovan, the situation on Earth is dire. The virus continues to spread at an alarming rate, and our efforts to contain it have been unsuccessful. We're working tirelessly to develop a vaccine, but we don't have enough data yet to create one that's effective.

Donovan:

What's the updated death count?

Novak:

One-point-four billion. But, as you know, the more urgent issue is identifying the weaknesses or mutations in the human genome that are causing reproduction issues in survivors of the virus.

Donovan:

I though the TEASE data was supposed to help with that.

Novak:

We've received initial data from UD105 and UD334, which has provided valuable insights into the virus's behavior. However, we're still waiting for useful data from the other planets, including the first live birth on UD237. The genetic data from a successful hybrid offspring could be the key to unlocking a cure.

Donovan:

UD237? That's where we sent those college students, correct?

Novak:

Yes, General. We have been monitoring the women and have definitive data from that group proving that the TEASE implants neutralize the virus and allow them to conceive. So far, the three impregnated women have had zero complications.

We anticipate the first live birth within the next few months and, assuming the symbionts continue to operate as programmed, we will eventually have plenty of hybrids to study. The data is so promising that we've initiated additional hybrid study groups.

Donovan:

That's extremely promising. Expedite the production of additional symbionts. We'll never be able to produce enough for the entire planet, but we can protect our most valuable citizens. And send me that data, Dr. Novak. I believe my superiors will be pleased by the report. In the meantime, your top priority is developing a vaccine.

Novak:

Yes, sir. I understand, sir.

I stare at the screen, my mind reeling as I read through the messages again. The fact that a deadly virus is ravaging Earth is horrifying enough, but the knowledge that my friends and I aren't the only ones being used as government test subjects is almost too much to bear.

UD105, UD334...how many other planets are being used for experiments? How many other lives are being manipulated and monitored without consent?

"What in the hell is going on?" I ask. Jillian and Alana talk over each other. I hold up a hand, silencing them both. "One at a time."

"It's pretty clear what's going on," Jillian says. "We're not the only Earth Gov guinea pigs. Those assholes are manipulating more humans on other undeveloped planets."

I nod, my stomach churning at the thought of others being subjected to the same twisted experiments as us.

Before I can respond, Alana chimes in. "But that's not the most important part."

My anger at Earth Gov rises. "What's more important than others being used against their will like us?"

"Some sort of virus is devastating Earth, and all of you—and possibly Jenn and I—have been intentionally infected by it," Alana calmly says. "Fortunately, it appears our symbionts have neutralized the effects of the virus, one of which appears to be the inability to conceive."

Jillian cradles her baby bump. "And the fuckers plan to experiment with our babies once they're born. I don't care how many Terrans are wiped out. I'll die before letting them touch my baby."

I think about the Rakuium in my pouch and wonder if it'll be enough to keep all of us safe. The urgency to figure out what it's truly capable of has increased ten-fold.

Alana touches my arm, and I flinch. "I know you've been hoping to find a way off this planet, Jade, but there's no reason to go back to Earth at this point. And, we have no idea whether the virus is spreading to other planets. One of the safest places in the galaxy might be right here on UD237."

The truth is like a punch to my gut. The devastation of the Terran people. An Earth government who picks and chooses who gets to preserve the ability to reproduce by getting a TEASE. The glib way these men discuss launching more study groups—and studying babies.

The shock of it all makes me almost numb. "After what we've learned, I wouldn't go back to Earth now if they sent a luxury shuttle to retrieve me." I turn to Jillian. "We'll find a way to protect the babies, I promise."

She grins. "Damn, straight, you will. I have faith in you, Jade."

"The way I see it," Alana says, "we now have a blank slate to create our own new world here. With the Rakuium Jade and Zeleck found, and more if we can find it, we should be able to turn the village into a modern oasis. Just imagine the possibilities."

Something about her tone unsettles me. "You're talking about things like running water, indoor plumbing, and basic medications, right?"

"Right," Alana agrees.

"Indoor plumbing would be the fucking bomb," Jillian adds. "Just sayin'."

Alana paces from one side of the cavern to the other, which I know from experience means her mind is going a mile a minute. "There's more we could do, too. Build new structures, develop high-tech weapons, establish the Rakuis as the rulers of UD237. With enough Rakuium, the sky's the limit on what we can do."

After our two-day quest only produced a handful of Rakuium pieces, I doubt there's enough of it left to achieve that kind of modernization. And I know the Rakuis don't want that.

"The Rakuis have welcomed us into their tribe with open arms. We can't repay them for that by forcing them to completely change their way of life. Rakuium devastated their homeworld. They won't stand for that happening again."

As the words leave my mouth, I'm surprised by the intensity of my conviction. When did I become so protective of the Rakuis and their ways? Am I really defending their simple existence?

Whoa.

I step away from the other women and wave Jillian away when she tries to follow. "Give me a minute, okay?"

Untying the pouch of Rakuium from my weapons holster, I dig through it to find the first piece that Zeleck found, the piece that communicated with us. It begins to glow before my fist even closes around it.

And then, like a bolt of lightning, the answers to my questions hits me. A warmth blossoms in my chest and rapidly spreads throughout my body.

Zeleck.

He's the reason I've changed, the reason I've come to appreciate the Rakui way of life. A smile spreads across my face, and I turn to Jillian and Alana. "I have to go."

Without waiting for a response, I race out of the Cavern of Memory, my heart pounding with a new sense of purpose.

I need to my mate and tell him how much I love him!