Prologue
“It’s early! The son of a bitch is early!” Paul Hawking exclaimed as he rushed into the conference room.
“Paul, you’re late and you’re babbling,” Johannes Sagan said as he gave the other man a questioning look. “What are you talking about?”
“1998 XB7,” Paul answered. The rest of the executives around the table exchanged confused looks.
“What the hell is that?” Margo Reading asked.
“An asteroid the size of three city blocks,” Paul replied.
“Paul, take a breath and explain,” Sofia Laurant, SL3’s CEO and president, instructed.
“Yes ma’am,” Paul said. After a moment he continued, 1998 XB7 was supposed to pass between the earth and the moon sometime in late 2025 or early 2026. But somehow it has sped up and will impact the earth in three months.”
The other corporate officers exploded into questions and comments. Sofia glanced at Johannes. He slammed his palms into the conference table, silencing the others.
“Thank you, Johannes,” Sofia said. SAL3’s vice president nodded to his boss and one of the world’s wealthiest people, acknowledging her words. “Where is the asteroid predicted to hit?”
“My NASA source says Antarctica,” Paul answered.
“That shouldn’t be so bad then. It’ll miss us and Europe,” one of the junior executives stated. Paul shook his head. “What?”
“NASA thinks the impact will not only produce one massive crater and turn Antarctica into even more of a wasteland, but they also expect every ice shelf to collapse, causing tsunamis that will have the energy to travel all the way to the Artic.”
“Which will cause those ice shelves to collapse causing even more tsunamis, destroying islands, nations, and just about every coastal area on the planet that wasn’t destroyed by the first wave of tsunamis,” Johannes concluded.
“Exactly,” Paul, agreed, collapsing into an available chair. The executives once again exploded into arguments and conversations. After a few minutes, Sofia gestured to Johannes, and he silenced the others once again. Sofia stood and straightened her jacket and slacks.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, while this is a catastrophe the likes the world has not seen since the dinosaurs, it is also an opportunity,” Sofia said with a grin on her face.
“What are you talking about? This is horrible!” another junior executive exclaimed. A glare from Sofia silenced the other woman.
“Paul, keep in contact with your source. I want weekly updates on this asteroid for the next month. After that I want daily updates,” Sofia said. Paul agreed and the CEO turned her attention to her executive assistant. “Melenia, contact the heads of our two rivals. I want to meet with them today.”
“Yes ma’am,” Melenia replied.
“Johannes, stay. The rest of you leave and start quietly preparing your families to move inland, but not one word of this better leak to the public or I’ll have more than just your jobs,” Sofia said. The executives expressed their gratitude and filed out of the conference room.
“You’re thinking of initiating Project UCS, aren’t you?” Johannes asked with a knowing smile on her face.
“I am,” Sofia agreed, gazing out over the NYC skyline. “Then I want to initiate Project Southland.”
“Are you sure?”
“Oh yes. The governments of the world will not be able to stop this asteroid, nor will they be able to help all their citizens,” Sofia answered. “Get an estimate on the death toll. I imagine one of the bootlickers we pay in the government already has some figures.”
“I’ll have something by the end of the day,” Johannes stated. “Are you thinking tens of millions?”
“Hundreds of millions if not more,” Sofia said.
“Damn,” Johannes cursed. He tapped the conference table for a couple of minutes. “Just how far are you wanting to push Southland?”
“All the way,” Sofia answered. “Whatever nation states and corporations survive will want the next generation weapon platforms and everyone left alive on the planet will want the longevity treatments if they work.”
“Are you sure we’ll be able to control the ah… primitive weapons platforms?”
“They’ll be fenced in, and we’ll still have the nanobots and implants even if the platforms prove to be a failure,” Sofia replied. She turned from the window to face her subordinate. “Southland will prove to be a massive success.”
“But first we have a failed government to replace,” Johannes stated.
“Indeed,” Sofia agreed with a smile. “Let’s discuss ways to tank the stock market and overall economy within 60 days in my office.”
“Is that wise?”
“Oh yes. It’ll just make things much easier for us.”
1
One year later.
“You just want to release them to run free?” Will Tyson asked, looking up at the observation drone hovering over his head. His guards ignored him and kept their eyes on the perimeter.
“That’s the plan,” Bob Mendez, his supervisor, replied over the radio. “Drones and satellites will observe them and Southland as a whole.”
A growl sounded from the cage. Will backed away from it a few steps.
“Come on Bob! These damn cats will eat any and everything in there,” Will complained.
“Not quite everything but that’s the idea Will,” Bob retorted. “Remember, these cats are part of the new bioweapon platform program. A hundred pairs are being released throughout Southland along with hundreds of bison, elk, deer, pigs, and even cows. All altered just like the cats.”
“Are those other animals part of the weapons program too?” Will asked.
“In a way,” a new voice answered. “If it eases your conscious, just know we are returning our version of these creatures to part of what had once been their native habitat.”
“Mrs. Powell!” Bob and Will said at the same time.
“Gentlemen,” Karen Powell, the chief scientist in charge of the cave lion project, said. “The… prey animals have been made more robust and will hopefully provide suitable sport, food, and material for Southland’s future inhabitants if they can successfully hunt them.”
“Inhabitants, ma’am?” Will asked.
“Yes Will, inhabitants. All the weapons systems will live in Southland as they are tested. That makes them inhabitants,” Karen replied.
“But what about the people that refused to leave?” Will asked.
“If those morons refused to leave Southland after the tsunamis, and after the utilities were shut off, they’re on their own,” Bob answered. “They were warned.”
“And offered a considerable amount of money to relocate to one of the new corporate states,” Karen added. “Those fools are on their own. The cave lions won’t be the only bioweapon platform we test in Southland.”
“Good point, ma’am,” Bob quickly said.
Suck up harder Bob, Will thought.
“Will, release the cave lions,” Karen ordered.
“Ye ma’am,” Will replied. He double checked the gate in Southland’s north wall. He climbed onto the female’s cage and opened its door. He stepped onto the male’s cage and opened its door.
Thank God those cage doors fit right up to the gate. I’m not sure who had the bright idea of recreating fucking cave lions by mixing found Panthera Atrox DNA with African lions, but they’re damn fools. The female is larger than an African adult male and the male cave lion is even bigger. He shuddered. Thankfully, I’m out here and not in there. Those poor fools stuck in there and those being sent in don’t have a clue what’s coming.
His thoughts turned to a different extinct animal he had heard was recreated. Will had heard the company had mixed grizzly bears with Ursus Spelaeus DNA. The eggheads had brought back the giant short-faced bear. That damn thing stands nearly six feet at the shoulder and over 11 feet if it stands on its hind legs. Thank God I’m not involved with that project. This one is bad enough.
Will turned his attention back to the cats. The two cave lions hesitantly exited their cages. They sniffed each other as well as their surroundings. The pair observed their new habitat for a few moments. Then the two cave lions disappeared into the forest a few minutes later. The guards waited on Will to signal he was ready to return to base.
*
Six months later.
“Hi mom,” Aria Baird greeted her mother after answering her phone. She put it on speaker, sat it down, and pulled on a sweater.
“Hi sweetie,” Piper Baird replied. “Are you coming home to Fredericksburg this weekend or staying in Charlottesville?”
“Right to the point, huh mom?” Aria asked, while checking her shoulder length black hair in a mirror. She then turned her attention to her facial features. pale skin, high cheek bones, green eyes, and a button nose. Despite others having told her otherwise, Aria didn’t consider herself pretty. She had always considered herself cut at best, especially since she was slender and on the shorter side. She ran a hand through her hair and put her glasses on. I love my glasses and eyes.
“Yes dear, right to the point,” her mother answered, dragging Aria from her thoughts. “Your dad and I miss you.”
“Fredericksburg is only about 45 minutes away by aircar,” Aria retorted. “You two can come visit anytime you want.”
“I hate those things,” her Piper stated. “They’re not safe.”
“Aircars are safer than ground cars and there’s less traffic,” Aria pointed out. And you’re just being old-fashioned, mom. “All the statistics say aircars are super safe.”
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
“You’re trying not to answer my question,” Piper said.
Aria sighed and glanced at her guitar. I should work on that song I’ve been practicing instead of heading out. The kids will like it once I teach it to them. But a promise is a promise. “I’m about to meet some friends for lunch, but I’ll take an aircar home and have supper with you and dad. Or will he be working?”
“His project just released a prototype or two, but he’s promised he’ll be home sweetie. And you know he’ll be thrilled to see you,” her mother replied.
“I’ll pack a bag and stay the weekend though I’ll have to leave Sunday evening,” Aria said after thinking it over. “Classes don’t start back for a couple of weeks, and I could use the break.”
“Classes haven’t even started, and you can use a break?” Piper laughed.
“Yes. I’ve been working hard.”
Her mother laughed again. “What has your attention? The programming project?”
“No. That’s easy enough,” Aria replied.
“Then what is it?”
“I don’t know. I’m just tired.” Besides I can’t tell you I’ve been teaching music to some kids.
“You need something to take your mind off school.”
“I’ve started playing music again.”
“That’s great sweetie! But you don’t have a piano there. Did you buy a new one?”
“No.”
“Did you buy a violin? You used to be nearly as good with a violin as you had been with a piano.”
“No. I’ve bought an acoustic guitar though.”
“I wish you would take up the violin or piano again. You were so good,” Piper said. “I could arrange for a small concert.”
“I might buy a keyboard too,” Aria replied, hoping her mother would take the bait. She didn’t, so Aria added, “But I’m just playing for fun these days, so that’s why I picked up the guitar. I’m teaching myself how to play it.”
“But…”
I don’t want to perform in public again. Aria’s phone dinged, letting her know the rented aircar had arrived and landed on the apartment building’s landing pad. Thank goodness! “My aircar is here and I need to go mom.”
“Alright dear. Love you,” Piper said.
“Love you too, mom,” Aria replied. “I’ll see you tonight.”
*
I do love the mountain views around here, Aria thought as the aircar ascended straight up that evening. The term aircar was a bit of a misnomer because the vehicles were really VTOL, vertical takeoff and landing, aircraft instead of flying cars. They had skids instead of wheels too, but the name stuck. I love the view from these things too.
The aircraft reached its cruising attitude. Aria just gazed out the window as the aircar started to smoothly accelerate northeast towards Fredericksburg. A few minutes later, the ride became bumpy.
“Warning! Turbulence detected. Climbing to 500 feet to escape the turbulence,” the onboard AI stated.
“Shit!” Aria cursed, grabbing the handrails. The aircar started shaking worse. She felt it slow down and noticed it was descending rapidly. “Shit, shit, shit!”
“Warning! Power failure detected. Attempting to resolve,” The AI stated. A moment later another warning sounded. “Passengers prepare for a crash landing! Sending distress signal”
Before Aria could do a thing, the aircar crashed into a nearby ridge.
2
“How is she, Dr Miller?” Piper asked as soon as the doctor entered the waiting room.
“Mr and Mrs. Baird,” the doctor greeted his patent’s parents. He was glad to see they were concerned about Aria. Not all his patents had families that were, especially if they were older. “I wish we were meeting at a company function or on the golf course instead of in here.”
“Jon,” Michael Baird said, shaking the doctor’s hand. “We feel the same way. That said, don’t sugarcoat things for us.”
Doctor Jon Miller took in a deep breath and gestured at the couch the couple had gotten up from. “You two might want to sit down.”
“Is she dead?” Piper asked, clutching her husband’s hand as they sat.
“No. Aria is alive,” the doctor answered.
“Thank God,” Michael and Piper said at the same time.
“But she’s not doing well either,” Jon stated. He took another deep breath. “She is on a ventilator and we’re trying to replace her fluids. Aria’s injuries are many. She has third degree burns on 90% of her body, melted lips, three crushed bones, multiple more broken bones, severe internal injuries, severe blood loss, numerous other minor injuries, and I’m not sure if she has lost her eyes or not.”
“No!” Piper cried.
“Fuck Jon!” Michael exclaimed, pulling his wife to him. “How is she even alive?”
“By either being the luckiest girl alive, blessed, if you believe in that sort of thing, or both,” the doctor answered. “Aria’s survival is honestly a miracle. The crash itself should have killed her, and if that didn’t, the blood loss should have.”
“What was that about her eyes?” Piper asked.
“Are you sure you want to know?” Jon asked.
“We’re sure,” Piper answered.
“The explosion the crash caused and resulting fire melted the skin around her eyes. That may have blinded Aria or even burned her eyes. It’s also possible shrapnel pierced her eyes. There was quite a bit of fragments in her face,” Dr Miller explained. “We’re hoping to operate on her eyes once she is stable.”
Michael and Piper clutched each other but didn’t speak.
“Can we see her?” Michael asked after a couple of minutes.
“Of course, but I don’t know if I recommend it. No parent should have to see their child like this,” Dr Miller replied. “But right this way if you want to.” The doctor led the parents to a trauma room. Piper and Michael sobbed at the sight of their baby girl. “I can give you 30 minutes with her. At the top of the hour, we’re going to take her back to surgery to operate on some of the internal injuries.”
“Thanks Jon,” Piper said. She walked into the room and hesitantly reached for Aria’s right hand. Michael started to step inside when Jon stopped him.
“Mike, can I have a minute?” the doctor asked as Piper took her daughter’s hand into both of hers.
“Sure,” Michael replied. They let the room door slide shut. He studied the doctor’s face. “You don’t think she’ll live, do you?”
“Not exactly. Aria could live on life support for years in a coma,” Jon answered. “She’s in a medically induced coma now.”
“Then what is it?”
“I know you’re overseeing a certain project.”
“I am not subjecting my child to the troll project!” Michael hissed. “Or the ogre offshoot project for that matter.”
“Calm down Mike. I’m not suggesting that you put her through that,” Jon replied.
“Then what are you suggesting?”
“There are other projects in the works. The one I’m thinking about would help Aria heal.”
“Would it change her?”
“Some, but I’m not sure how much,” Jon admitted. “From what I’ve been told it involves a neural implant and nanobots. Beyond that, I don’t know.”
“That sounds similar to my projects,” Mike muttered. “Who’s in charge of this one?”
“Lin Roth.”
“I don’t know her,” Mike replied.
“Go see Aria and think about it. Then talk it over with Piper,” Jon suggested.
“Thanks Jon,” Michael said before walking into the trauma room.
*
“What did Jon want to talk to you about?” Piper asked after Aria had been taken in for the surgery.
“He says there is a project that might be able to help heal Aria,” Mike answered.
“Would it turn her into one of those… things your team is working on?”
“Jon doesn’t think so, but he doesn’t know much about the project other than who oversees it. Her name is Lin Roth, and I’ve never heard of her before.”
“But you want to take the chance if it’ll bring our little girl back to us,” Piper stated.
“Not without your approval and not without finding out what I can discover about Roth’s project first,” Mike said.
“Alright. Look into it. If Aria survives the surgeries, I want her to live, not just lay in a bed in a coma,” Piper replied.
*
“This is Dr Roth,” Lin said in greeting after answering her phone.
“Dr Roth, this Dr Miller from the company’s ICU,” Jon replied.
“Hi Jon. What can I do for you?”
“Nothing. But I think I’ve found you a test subject.”
“Really? Do tell.”
“Do you know Michael Baird?”
“I know of him. Why?”
“His 21-year-old daughter, Aria, was in an aircar crash,” Jon answered. He tapped something on his tablet. “I’ve just sent her file to you. She’s in bad shape and could use a helping hand.”
“Thank you for the file,” Lin replied. She opened it and started scanning through it. “She’s not a soldier or even an athlete. I’m not interested.”
“Check the background info in her file again.”
“Musician?”
“Aria could have been the next great pianist or even violinist. I’m not sure what the whole story is but she is a musical prodigy that stopped playing music altogether a few years ago and turned to computer science when she enrolled in college.”
“Her file says she just enrolled in a doctorate program in pure and applied logic and not music. She also has her degree in human-computer interaction,” Lin said as she paid closer attention to the file. “High grades throughout her academic career too.”
“Michael always refused to tell anyone why Aria didn’t want to play anymore. Mike and Piper loved the idea of having a world-class classical musician in the family. Mike drunkenly said at a company party once that Aria had wanted to teach music, but they talked her out of it. Anyway, like I said, she gave up it all up while in high school. I think the focus on computer science was Aria’s attempt to make her parents happy after disappointing them by giving up music.”
“Hmmm. So, she is intelligent and talented but not athletic.”
“That’s Aria in a nutshell. She’s also quiet and reserved for the most part.”
“I think I can work with that. Do you think her parents would approve of her becoming one of my subjects?” Lin asked.
“They love her. I think they’ll do whatever it takes to heal her,” Jon answered.
“Right. I’ll reach out to Mr Baird.”
“It might be better to let him reach out to you,” Jon countered.
“You think he will?”
“In the next couple of days if not in the next few hours.”
“Excellent. Thanks again,” Lin replied. “I’ll send a finder’s fee to your account along with a little bonus.”
3
Two weeks later.
“Mr Baird? This is Dr Lin Roth. I’m returning your call.”
“Thank you for getting back to me Dr Roth,” Michael said. “I’m going to cut to the chase Dr Roth. My daughter was in a horrible accident, and I’ve been told your program may be able to help her heal and recover.”
“And you want to know more about my project and to ask for my help,” Lin stated.
“True,” Mike agreed.
“Why not use some resources from your own projects?” Lin asked. “I understand your test subjects have a high healing factor.”
“That’s only partially correct. The… trolls do but the ogres just have a high constitution and are hard to dam… hurt.”
“Interesting.”
“And I can’t subject my daughter to that change even if it would save her life. Neither my wife nor my daughter would forgive me for turning Aria into one of those monstrosities,” Mike said. “I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself either.”
“Can’t say I blame you. I’ve seen footage of your projects. You can’t even tell they were human once.”
“How did you…”
“The company really wants my project to succeed. So, they’ve given me access to the other bioweapon projects in case any of your research and resources could be useful to my work,” Lin explained.
“Of course. I’ve only heard rumors that the board of directors is excited about the possibilities.”
“That’s true,” Lin replied. Mike could hear the satisfied smile in her voice. “So, what exactly do you wish to know?”
“Everything I guess.”
“Can’t tell you that. My boss would have my hide if I did.”
“Right,” Mike replied. “Could you… could you tell me what sort of changes your project does to a person?”
“I can tell you some of what my project is projected to do,” Lin answered. “Healing will be enhanced as will the senses. The few test subjects we have now show enhanced physical attributes such as being quicker and stronger than most regular people.”
“Will Aria still be human or at least look that way?”
“Mostly.”
“What do you mean mostly?” Mike inquired.
“Your daughter has lost both eyes according to the doctors,” Lin.
“How do you know that?” Mike asked in disbelief. Only Piper, he, and the medical staff knew that.
“I was advised to expect your call and why. I was then given Aria’s medical history.”
“I see,” Mike muttered.
“Getting back to the potential changes, your daughter’s eyes will have to be replaced. Depending on what we do for eye replacement, the color will be different.”
“Any other changes?”
“None that you need to be concerned with. I can promise that Aria won’t have a tail, claws, or cat ears on top of her head,” Lin answered. “I can also promise your daughter will be more than capable of handling whatever life throws at her once I’m finished with her.”
“Will she be outfitted with one of the new implants?”
“Yes.”
“And sent to Southland?”
“For advanced testing and field trials, yes. But we may be able to bring her out after the testing is done,” Lin replied. “If Aria survives the procedures and testing, then the board will be keen on having a success to show the world.”
“I…”
“Mr Baird, this is the only chance your daughter has for a somewhat normal life,” Lin said, barely keeping the excitement from her voice. She knew she had him.
“I… I agree to place my daughter in your care,” Mike said. A file arrived at his computer a few seconds later. He frowned.
“Sign the agreement please,” Lin said. “It’s boilerplate stuff, but you know the legal department wants to make sure you won’t attempt to file charges or sue if she doesn’t survive.”
“Yes, yes,” Mike replied in defeat. Lin managed to keep the grin off her face. “Will we be able to talk to and see Aria before the testing begins?”
“Yes. In fact, we’ll install her implant this week. You’ll be able to talk to her after that.”
“What? Why?”
“Aria needs to give consist as well. She is an adult after all Mr Baird.”
*
“Aria?” a woman’s voice asked.
“Yes? Who are you?” Aria replied, sleepily.
Dr Roth smiled. Even with the implant provided speech to text, the exhaustion in the young woman was evident.
“I’m Dr Lin Roth. My team and I will be taking over your treatment going forward if you consent to allow us to do what is necessary to heal you.”
“I… wait. Where are my parents? Why can’t I feel my hands?” Aria replied. Her vitals started going up as she jerked on the bed. “Why can’t I open my mouth? Why am I restrained? How am I talking? I can’t see! Why can’t I see?”
“Calm down Aria. Your parents are here,” Lin said. She opened the comm channel for the Bairds while gesturing to one of her assistants to sedate Aria.
“We’re here baby,” Piper and Mike said at the same time. Aria didn’t speak for two minutes as her vitals returned to normal and she calmed down.
“Do you feel better Aria?” Lin asked.
“I don’t feel at all,” the young woman replied.
“That’s normal,” Lin whispered to Piper and Mike. “Aria, do you give consent?”
“I… guess,” Aria muttered before falling asleep.
“That’s not consent, is it?” Piper asked.
“That’s good enough for us,” Blake Page from the legal department announced. “Dr Roth, you are now in legal compliance.”
The attorney dropped from the communications channel. Dr Roth turned to the Bairds.
“We’ll get started early in the morning. Either one of my nurses or myself will update you after the first surgery,” Lin said. Mike and Piper nodded their understanding.