Born

Despite herself she looked through the open doors, out at the utopia beyond. A real civilization, people not at the mercy of the weather, with art and culture far more advanced than any she had ever seen before. And I have their memories.

“The Borns are afraid of us, Allora, not because of what we do, but because of who we are and what we represent. Control over our lives, the ability to heal the sick and injured, to level the playing field so that those born to power would be no more important than the Bred who picks through the trash for scraps.” He glanced down at Cormack.

“They created the Bred to seek us out and destroy us so we would never be able to undo what they did.

The wars saw the death of many of our kind, people who were not trained for battle the way your soldier has been. A senseless waste of life on both sides by those who would keep you all under their thumbs.”

She shuddered as a new wave of memories broke over her, Cyborgs lined up on a field of battle, dying one by one. A small child, a boy watched the slaughter as Breds took them out efficiently and then returned to their masters for more abuse. He stayed hidden from view and collected their memory chips to add to the collective.

Cassandra knelt down beside her. “What did you see?”

Haltingly, Allora relayed the vision, stroking Cormack’s cheek to ground herself as much as reassure him.

Vitrolith grunted, and as Allora watched, disgust showed on his face. “They created the Bred to be guard dogs as well as slaves, cutting them down in their prime, neutering them with those packets. They could be our greatest allies, have the most to gain with reunification and instead they react with violence whenever they see us.”

“Neutering? Breds are infertile by design.”

Vitrolith crouched down so their eyes were level.

“Can you see the double standards here, Allora? The way they use technology as they see fit, for draining, for engineering a whole new race of people and feeding them nutrients which will keep them strong but not allowing them to spawn of their own accord.

There is plenty of water and warmth down here but above people still die of thirst, from exposure. Basic economics of supply and demand, those who have what is rare, hold all the cards. And because of their innate hatred of us, we have not been able to explain it to them.”

“But Cormack didn’t know I was one of you, he never attacked me.”

“You are new, Allora, a new generation of us. Your enhancements are all internal. Though you don’t know it, your senses are as acute as a Bred’s, genetically compatible in every way. The only difference, you were born instead of created.”

“Even now, sister, there are programs inside your head, ready to be used to make you stronger, faster, able to heal more quickly. All you need to do is access them.” Cassandra grinned at her. “Do you have my journal? I would like to add it to my archives.”

Hands shaking, Allora dug inside her armor for it.

She didn’t even glance at it as she handed the book over. Cormack groaned, and she muttered nonsense designed to soothe him even as she withdrew. “He will never accept what I am.”

“He already has.” Cassandra held the journal in front of her face. She scanned the words, hope fluttering low in her stomach.

Cormack loves you, Allora, never give up on him.

“Let’s take him somewhere where he can rest more comfortably.” Vitrolith suggested. “He’ll be less likely to hear us out if he awakens with a crick in his neck.” A quick motion with his hand and Rothguard stepped forward but Allora waved him off.

“I’ll do it.”

They backed off and taking in a deep breath for fortitude, Allora bent and heft Cormack over her shoulder in one smooth motion. She blinked unable to believe she had actually been able to do it. Meeting Vitrolith’s—her father’s—gaze he nodded once. “Show me where.”

The room they led her to had an actual door that Rothguard opened. Allora placed her unconscious Bred down on the mattress, rolling her shoulders though there was no muscle strain. Lush green growing things covered the wall and she breathed in the sweetly scented air. “Tell me why I was sent away from here.”

Cassandra had followed them inside. “You needed to follow the path destiny laid out for you. Everything happens for a reason Allora, by design.”

“Your design? Or your predecessor’s?”

Cassandra hopped up on the railing overlooking the lavish garden beneath. “Neither. She saw more of the grand design than most, but she was not its architect.”

Allora nodded, thinking it over. “Now here I am, and Cormack too, because without me there to find the book, another supervisor would have taken it from him and he would have been recycled. So what, we were your cosmic delivery service?”

Vitrolith shook his head. “You are so much more than that, Allora. You are the first to successfully join two of our three factions, the Cyborgs and the born.”

Frowning she gestured to him and Cassandra.

“What about the two of you?”