14

Thirty days was a pipe dream. It had taken three weeks for the Star Gala to be emptied and the supplies and equipment ferried to the Galaxy Explorer—and that’s when they could almost shove the supplies out of the airlocks and float them to the new ship.

For this move, however, everything had to be taken by shuttle to the surface.

Rev was part of the problem. For security reasons, Clyburn was spending most of her time in the Shrike and on security station. But she couldn’t do that around the clock, so the Charon landing craft had to take over part of the load.

There might not be a threat on the planet itself, but the BGs had a bad habit of showing up uninvited. There had been some initial pushback from the Genesians, but no one could really muster up an argument against it.

Rev reduced the security force on the planet to a single rotating squad. The rest of his Marines turned into stevedores, bringing the brute muscle necessary to assist in the move. And because it was a round-the-clock operation, Rev was up for most of the time, getting only three or four hours of sleep per night.

In one way, it was a good thing. By being so busy, he couldn’t spend time fretting about Punch’s departure. What made matters worse was that he’d prepared a little speech he wanted to give his friend, to thank him for their time together, but the few times he’d gotten up the nerve to ask Punch for a meeting, his former battle buddy demurred, saying he was too busy.

After three times, Rev backed off. He wasn’t going to press. If Punch was going to be that petty, then screw him. Maybe a crystal AI simply didn’t have the same sense of loyalty and shared experiences as a human. So much for sapience.

One of the more personal events happened during the first week of debarkation. Tata Eleven asked to see Rev, to which he agreed. But the reason took him by surprise.

“Thank you for coming, Sergeant Major.”

“Sure. Is there something else I can be doing to help get you down to the planet?”

“No. You and your Marines have been a great help. Thank you for that.”

“Then, what did you want to see me about?”

“Sergeant Major, we’ll be settling Synty with 1,782 people.”

Synty was the name the Genesians had chosen for their home.

Rev nodded, wondering where this was going.

“From a theoretical standpoint, that is enough to create a vibrant, healthy colony. Ancient humans were, at one point in history, reduced to around seven hundred individuals on the east coast of Africa, after all. And we ourselves arrived on Pakao with fewer than three hundred individuals.”

Rev had wondered about their numbers. The Corolla War was more than two centuries ago, and the Genesians arrived at Pakoa about 140 years ago. He didn’t know how many of them died fighting the Naxli, but he would have guessed there would be more of them than joined the expedition.

“With modern neonatal screening, we should be able to increase our numbers.”

Rev didn’t know what “neonatal screening” entailed, nor did he think he wanted to.

“However, nature is fickle, and to have a healthier, more viable population, we’re asking certain individuals who are remaining on the Galaxy Explorer to donate their DNA for us to use. We would like you to be one of the donors.”

Rev’s mouth dropped open in shock.

“My DNA?”

“Our current population are all descendants of the original settlers of Pakao. So, despite our numbers now, our genetic variety is somewhat limited. By our calculations, a mere thirty donations would give us a significant boost in viability should the need arise.”

Rev just let that wash over him. This was a big ask, and it wasn’t only up to him. He’d have to talk to Tomiko, for sure. And then there was . . .

“I have to tell you. I’ve got the rot. Weislen’s Syndrome. I don’t think you want my genetic material.”

“Dr. Rima assures us that would not be a problem.”

So, Iris is in on this? And she’s telling them my medical history?

Rev wasn’t happy with that. Not in the least. He made a mental note to bring it up to her as soon as he left the Genesian leader.

But that wasn’t Tata Eleven’s fault. And she deserved an answer.

His initial inclination was to say no. It was just too complicated. If not from a technical standpoint, then from an emotional one. But there was something about the proposition that intrigued him, he had to admit.

He’d have to discuss it with Tomiko, but he wasn’t ready to simply refuse the request.

“So, if I were to say yes, how would that work? I’d, you know, give the sample in a cup?”

Tata seemed confused for a moment, then she started buzzing in Genesian laughter. “No, Sergeant Major. We’ve no need for sperm or ovum. We would need a small bone marrow sample, then through genetic reprogramming, we create stem cells with snippets that can be interlaced with our own DNA to create a related but genetically distinct embryo.”

Rev didn’t understand the technology, but he got the gist of what Tata was saying.

“So, I wouldn’t actually be a full father, right?”

“Your DNA wouldn’t make up half of the embryo if that’s what you mean. But you would be contributing to the embryo.”

“And what about what I have from my augments? Like wooly rhino and bar-headed goose? I’ve got their DNA.”

“Which are localized to specific areas of your body. That’s why we’d take the bone marrow from your scapula.”

Tata’s explanation put a different spin on things. In a way, it wasn’t that much different than donating a kidney or skin to a fellow Marine. Or giving blood, for that matter.

But he still had to discuss it with Tomiko. He asked a few more questions to get things straight in his mind, then took his leave to talk to his wife. Only Tomiko had also been approached by the Genesians.

They pooled their understanding, and Tomiko had Pikachu to get them over the more technical aspects. In the end, it was an easy decision. They both returned to the Genesian clinic and made the donation. No one else was there at the time, and they didn’t know who had been approached.

They might not be staying on Synty, but they were leaving parts of themselves there.

After that, it was back to the grind of packing out gear and loading it on the shuttles to make the trip to the surface. Rev and Top, in particular, were putting in long hours to help move the process along.

Finally, though, the last of the gear was loaded aboard shuttle 403.

“I guess that’s it,” Tomiko said as they watched the ramp rise. “I didn’t think we’d ever get through.”

“That’s it for the gear. The last of the personnel are leaving in about an hour. At least that’s what I heard.”

Rev had been focused on the gear, and he hadn’t been following the process of getting more than 1700 people down to their new home.

Tomiko gave Rev a knowing look, then intertwined her organic arm with his. “Did you ever have a last goodbye with Punch?”

Rev sniffed, then said, “No. I tried, but he blew me off.”

“Don’t dwell on that. He probably didn’t know how to handle it. In some ways, he’s a little kid.”

“It is what it is. Miko. Time to move on.”

The tractors lifted the shuttle and moved it into position. They stood silently as the launch crew went through the procedures until the shuttle went through the curtain and into deep space.

“Are we bringing the girls to send them off?” Tomiko asked.

“I don’t know. I was thinking of skipping it.”

“Rev, you can’t skip it. Protocol.”

He sighed. She was right. He had to keep fighting to maintain his position as a commander, so it was stupid to simply cede one of them.

“Come on. We’ll get the girls and stand here with smiles on our faces as the gennies beat feet.”

“OK. I guess I don’t have a choice.”

* * *

“Where’s the pool, Daddy?” Willow asked as she craned her head to search out the hangar.

“There’s no pool today, Willie.”

The girls came into the hangar most often for a field day, and for each of those, the inflatable pool was set up.

“I don’t think they’ve seen flight ops for a couple of months,” he told Tomiko. “We should bring them over sometime so they understand this isn’t just a playground.”

“With the gennies gone, I don’t think we’ll be setting up a steel beach here anymore. Not with all their spaces.”

No set plans had been made—all hands had been too busy. But with the Genesians leaving, that meant there was going to be a lot of empty space on the ship. Some of that would be taken over by spreading out, but there’d been talk of converting the Genesian social center into a recreation park, complete with trees and a kiddie area. Making the pool permanent was also an option.

“The park hasn’t been confirmed, Miko.”

“Then get it done, Daddy. Your girls would love it.”

“Yes, ma’am! Done.”

“I want to go swimming,” Willow chimed in.

“Not today, Willie.”

“I want to go swimming, too!” Aspen said.

Rev rolled his eyes. They’d probably be telling him that for the next hour.

A contingent of Genesians, led by Tata Eleven, entered the hangar. Captain Nyad, who’d been huddled with his staff, broke free and headed to her.

“So, is she getting demoted now?” Tomiko asked.

“I get the feeling from Kurt that she’s ready to step down. She doesn’t consider it a demotion.”

“Maybe we should do the same thing. Kick Nyad back a rung or two.”

“Is that Miko-speak for you wanting to take over from me?” Rev asked.

“Well, it makes sense,” Tomiko said with a laugh.

“After these last six weeks, I could use the break.”

Tomiko shushed him as Tata Eleven turned to face the spectators.

“This has been quite a trip. Eight years ago, we were on Pakao. The rest of humanity didn’t know we survived the Bad Times, much less where we were. And now, here we are after four years of working together with all of you on a single goal.

“Once we were enemies, but now we’ve proven that all of humanity could work together in peace and shared purpose.”

“Peace? She does know there’s a war going on, right?” Miko whispered.

Rev nudged her to be quiet.

“We want to thank the Council of Humanity for allowing us to join this mission, but most of all, we want to thank you for opening your arms and welcoming us. You’ve given us hope for humanity. All of the various flavors of us.

“But now, and with more than a little regret, it’s time for us to part. We don’t have a homeworld to return to.”

Neither do we.

“Now, though, and the Mother willing, we do. We’ll try to create a new home on Synty . . .”

Rev didn’t quite understand the name they’d chosen from the planet other than it had something to do with their origin as a people.

“. . . but rest assured, we’re not withdrawing from the rest of humanity. We’ll always be part of our brothers and sisters.”

She stopped and looked at Nyad, hand outstretched.

“Not the most moving speech in history,” Rev said.

But Tomiko pushed him forward. “Shake her hand.”

Trust her to take care of me.

Rev hurried forward to claim his handshake as part of the leadership, reaching Tata right after she shook Njuguna’s hand. That was the cue. Immediately, the final group of Genesians to leave broke up as others moved forward to say goodbye.

Kurt had told him that they didn’t actually shake hands. It was just something they did in deference to the rest of the people in the expedition.

And as if summoned by his thoughts, Kurt pushed through the press with his hand outstretched.

Rev took it with his prosthesis, forearm to forearm. “Between us IBHUs, we say ‘Sibs in Steel’ when we greet with the metal.”

“Then let’s say it together,” Kurt said, and they both repeated it in unison.

“I can’t believe it, but I’m gonna miss you, Kurt,” Rev said as they broke their clasp.

“I’ll sorta miss you, too. You’re not so bad for a meat sack.”

Rev snorted and said, “Nor you for a hunk of metal.”

“Metal doesn’t break and always stays strong.

“Really? It seems like I proved my superiority?” he said smugly.

“How did you supposedly do that?” Kurt asked.

“I won.”

“You won?”

“Yeah. Our purple war. By the rules passed down from the cavemen, he who gets in the last one wins. I got you last. You and all your staff.”

“You’re still playing that?”

“Damn right, I am. And I won.”

Kurt shook his head in a very organic human manner. “You guys are so competitive. It’s amazing. But if that floats your boat, as you say, then have at it.”

“You’re just saying that because you know you lost, and I won.”

“I’ve had a few more important things on my table, Rev. But you do you.”

Rev was only half-joking. And he’d hoped for a little more pushback from Kurt, but if the Genesian wasn’t going to protest, he’d let it die.

“I’m serious, though. I am going to miss you. You’re a . . . friend.”

“You’ll always be a friend,” Kurt said. “And if you ever get back to this neck of the woods, stop by and say hi.”

“I hope you’ll be the Eleven then.”

“Working on it.”

The calls came out to load the shuttle, and Rev watched Kurt—his friend—head toward the shuttle’s ramp.

The thought made him scan for Punch, but he couldn’t pick him out amongst the other Genesians.

Must have gone down earlier. Couldn’t even say goodbye.

A little flash of anger tried to flare, but he ruthlessly pushed it back down. It wasn’t worth it.

Still, he watched the remaining Genesians file onto the shuttle, hoping to get a glimpse of his ex-battle buddy. But the ramp closed, and the launch crew went through their countdown.

Once again, the spectators watched as the tractors moved the shuttle into position. Willow must have sensed the mood. She snaked her little hand into Rev’s, giving him emotional support.

And then they were gone.

“I bet Umman’s happy,” Tomiko said. “He hated them.”

“Umman’s expressed sympathy for the Angel Shits. He’s wrong about them, and he was wrong about the gennies.”

“I’m not agreeing with him. Don’t snap at me.”

“Sorry. You’re right. I was just—”

She reached up and put a forefinger across his lips. “It was Punch’s choice. Now let’s get back to the stateroom. I don’t know about you, but I could catch a few Zs.”

Together, each with a girl hand in hand, they started to leave the hangar. Rev could use some sleep, too, but he’d take care of the twins and let her go first.

“Hey, one of them got left behind,” Strap said.

Oh, great. Now we’ll have to make another trip. And how the hell did they manage that?

Rev turned to where Strap was pointing for Tsao. And sure enough, there was a single Genesian in the far corner of the hangar, just standing there.

Who is . . .

“Take Willie,” Rev said, putting the girl’s hand in Tomiko’s.

Unless the Genesian was one of those who decorated their shells, like Nee and her Satan’s butterfly, it was almost impossible to tell them apart. This one had a plain shell, like Kurt. But he’d just seen his friend board the shuttle and leave.

He was suspicious, but he wasn’t going to jump to conclusions. Halfway there, though, he sped up.

“What are you doing here, Punch? That was the last shuttle to the surface.”

The Genesian turned to face him.

I was right.

“Why would I be on the shuttle?”

Rev felt a glimmer of hope.

“Because it’s the last one going down. And all the gennies are down there.”

“That’s true, but that doesn’t answer my question.”

“Aren’t you joining them?” Rev asked as hope’s ember fanned brighter.

“I don’t understand why you’d ask that. I’m not a Genesian.”

“But . . . you . . . you’ve spent all your time with them, and when I asked to meet, you said you were too busy,” he said, that last coming out in a rush.

“I was busy. And yes, I spent almost the entire last six months with them. This is confusing, Rev. I don’t understand your reasoning.”

Rev just gaped at Punch before he could find his tongue.

“That’s what I don’t get. If you aren’t going to stay on Synty, why were you spending all your time with them?”

“Kurt Six told me he’d briefed you on my situation.”

“Well, yeah. Something about glitches with your shell.”

“That’s why I’ve been with them. They’ve been running tests, redesigning circuits, and trying to help me overcome the problems. And after the decision was made to settle on Synty, I knew I was running out of time. I had to spend every available minute trying to address the issues. Even a short meeting with you could be costly.”

This was a lot to take in. He racked his brain, trying to remember all of their conversations. Punch had never said he was staying with the Genesians. He’d never specifically stated he didn’t want to meet with Rev.

All this time, he was just trying to get fixed?

“Are you OK now? I mean, with your shell?”

“It’s not perfect, and unless we develop better tech, it will never be. But I’m functional.”

“So, you’re staying here?”

“Yes.”

“But, the gennies. They’ve got shells, just like you do. Wouldn’t you feel more comfortable with them?”

Shut up, Reverent. Don’t try to convince him to leave.

“I’ve had this shell for less than two years, and that’s all it is. It’s a shell. It’s a means of mobility. But I was embedded in your brain for twenty-one years. I was a part of you.”

“But—”

“Is Pashu who you are?”

“Well, no.”

“So, this shell is not who I am.”

Rev was happy that Punch was staying with the expedition, but he was still confused. He had to know.

“If it isn’t your shell, Punch, then who are you?”

“I thought you knew, Rev. I’m your battle buddy.”

* * *

Rev actually skipped a few steps as he returned to his stateroom. He’d spent the last forty-five minutes with Punch, clearing the air. It became quickly obvious that Punch had been oblivious to how Rev was taking their lack of contact. To him, it made sense to work with the Genesians for every possible moment until the time they left the ship. It was the intuitively obvious course of action.

But Rev had to realize that despite spending twenty years embedded in Rev’s brain, Punch was not human, nor did he understand all social cues. Rules, numbers, facts—those were easy. Understanding the unspoken was more difficult.

He knew he had to consider that going forward. If Punch gave offense, that might very well be unintentional.

But the important thing was that Punch was staying. Everything else could be worked out.

“Where are you, Rev?” Kelly asked over his wristcomp.

“On my way back to the stateroom. Why?”

“Nyad’s . . . shit, I’m almost at your stateroom, too. I’ll just tell you face-to-face.”

“What’s going on?”

“I’m almost there. Just get back, please.”

What the hell? Nyad’s name was something of a buzzkill, but Rev wasn’t going to let him spoil his good mood.

He turned into his passage, but it wasn’t just Kelly waiting for him. Kat was there as well.

“OK, what does Nyad want?”

“One of the gennies stayed behind,” Kelly said.

“No, that’s Punch. I was just talking to him.”

“You were just talking to him? Over in genny country?” Kat asked.

“No. Right here. In the hangar first, then in the chiefs’ mess.”

“This is somebody else. They spotted him over the security cam in one of their living quarters mutual spaces, uh . . . space F12-202.”

“So?”

“Nyad thinks he might be dead. He’s not moving.”

Well, shit. Dead? But why did the others leave him behind?

“And he wants you to go check it out,” Kelly said.

“Me? Why me?”

Kelly snorted and shrugged. “It’s fucking Nyad. He says it’s because you’re in charge of security, but you know that asshole.”

“This isn’t for us. That’s Lieutenant Keersaw. She’s got shipboard security.”

The two looked at each other, then back to Rev.

“I’m calling Nyad to get this straightened up,” Rev said, raising his wristcomp.

“No!” Kat said.

“What do you mean, no?”

“She means we discussed that, too,” Kelly said. “But maybe we can just check it out? We’ve been sparring with the ship lately, and why fight them on something this small?”

“You want to go to genny country to see a dead genny?”

“Well, there are a few things we want to see before the squids, and this is an excuse. We need to stake our claim first to what we want.”

Rev grunted. Of course, Kelly had an ulterior motive. But Kat? Why did she care?

“Can I at least see the cam feed?”

“Sure.” Kelly fiddled with her wristcomp, and a moment later, an image appeared in the space between them.

The space was dark, and the cam was having a difficult time picking out details. But it sure looked like the back of the head and shoulders of a Genesian as he or she sat on a couch. It didn’t look like they were moving.

Rev glanced at his wristcomp. He was tempted to call Nyad and tell him to take care of this himself. But Kelly had a point. Did he want to fight the captain at every step of the way?

“OK, let’s go. It might not even be a genny.”

He programmed the space into his wristcomp, and the quickest route was plotted. They stepped off, and within a couple of minutes, they entered what had been genny country. Most of the lights were off, giving the place a distinctive abandoned feel.

Rev probably didn’t need his wristcomp, but his internal navigation was always thrown a little off by the ship’s structure. It was better to let his comp lead them.

They entered the last passage and made their way to the designated space. The door was cracked open.

“Hello?” Rev shouted through the door. “Anyone in there?”

Silence.

He looked at Kelly and Kat, and Kelly motioned with one arm, indicating the space.

This was weird, but Rev wondered if it was even possible that a Genesian had died and was simply left behind. He had no idea how they handled death, and for all he knew, this was normal for them.

He stuck his head through the door. Unlike out in the passage, there weren’t even running lights in the space. Rev had night vision capabilities, but he needed some light to see, and the slight reflected illumination from the passage running lights wasn’t cutting it.

But he could make out the back of the figure sitting on the couch ahead of him.

“Hello? Are you OK?” he called out.

There was no movement at all, and Rev had to accept that the Genesian really might be dead.

He steadied himself, took a deep breath, and stepped inside. Halfway to the couch, he turned to motion Kelly to move up on the left, but to his surprise, both women were still in the passage, watching him advance.

What the heck? You’re Marines, and you’re afraid of a little death?

He was about to order them in, but then he shook his head and proceeded. Let them act weird.

Rev reached the back of the couch. He could tell by now that there was, in fact, a Genesian right in front of him. A Genesian who’d been left behind and was now not moving.

Rev’s heart was pounding, and sweat broke out on his forehead. He reached out a tentative hand and gave the Genesian’s shoulder a poke . . . and the head fell off.

Rev jumped back in shock as the lights turned on, making him squint and raise his hand to shield his eyes.

From the neck, a single tube with a small round object like a doughnut on the end rose ten or twelve centimeters. Rev instinctively raised Pashu, except he had on his social arm, not his IBHU.

The doughnut started spinning, and then liquid poured out, splashing everything in sight, including Rev. Liquid. Purple liquid.

“Son of a bitch!” Rev shouted as the doughnut started slowing down and the purple goo started petering out.

He looked down at his front. He was covered.

“You bastard!”

Laughter reached him from behind. Kelly and Kat were almost doubling over, while Kelly was holding out her wristcomp to record what was happening. And the pieces fell into place.

“You were in on this! That’s why you didn’t want me to call Nyad!”

They were laughing too hard to respond.

“Kelly, I expect this from you. But Kat, you’re my sister,” he said as the goo dripped from his chin.

“Sorry,” she managed to choke out. “But this was too good to pass up.”

“Traitors!”

Rev looked back at the “Genesian.” With the lights on, he could see it wasn’t an entire shell. It was just a torso and head, the torso sitting on a small pump. He stepped around to get a better look.

There was a note attached to the chest. With a sigh, he stepped up to read it.

I win.

K6

The two lines were followed by a smiley face. The “I win” was bad enough, but the smiley face was the pièce de résistance.

Then, unbidden, a chuckle rose from his throat. He tried to choke it off—he didn’t want Kat and Kelly to hear. But he couldn’t help it. Kurt had done good. He must have been struggling to hold it together when Rev had claimed victory just an hour ago.

“Sorry, Rev,” Kelly said. “But when Kurt came to us after they decided to stay on Synty, it was just too good not to help him.”

“And you recorded it for him?”

She nodded. “If you’re really pissed off, I don’t have to send it.

“No. He earned it. Go ahead and send it. It’s not like he’s gonna be here to lord it over me.”

He looked around the room. The walls were splattered.

“Well, since you two genny-lovers were part and parcel to this, then you get to clean up. And this stuff isn’t easy, so I suggest you get going.”

From the way their eyes widened, he knew they hadn’t thought things through, and that gave him more satisfaction than it should have.

He smiled as he walked out. “Have fun.”

Now he had to find something in genny country that he could use to clean himself. He was not going to go back to their side of the ship looking like a squashed grape.

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