Legends of Amacia The Awakening

“Of everyone here, I know Hanna intimately on a genetic level,” Josephine stated while continuing the shebat purge on Hanna. “Granted, I don’t know Hanna the way Selina does on the emotional and spiritual level, but I’ve seen exactly what Hanna is physically and genetically. The longer I see it, the more I realize that Hanna is not a product of natural selection. A vast, supremely powerful and ancient intelligence created Hanna, and used me in that process in no small part. The combinations of human and alien genes, including Lynxian genetic material combined with the twenty-fourth chromosome pair indicates Hanna is an engineered being. No humans have ever had twenty-four chromosome pairs, ever. Not even the Emperor has twenty-four chromosome pairs. He’s never been able to successfully incorporate that twenty-fourth pair, even with the assistance of the Dark Powers and even FATE itself. They’ve been able to mutate, and rearrange the genetic structure of people and creatures, but never have they been able to add an extra pair. It’s always failed with the most horrendous of results. I’ve seen it too many times. The end result is far more heinous than anything you saw on the sex floor or in the Kitchen you destroyed.” A troubled sigh escaped Josephine’s lips.

“What happened?” Arabella asked softly, deeply troubled by what she was hearing. “What happened to those poor souls?”

“The introduction of the twenty-fourth chromosome pair nearly always results in violent gruesome death,” Josephine stated. “Even if the pair is synthesized of human genetic material taken from that very person, it ends very badly. When introduced, it causes a complete riot in the host’s genetic structure, causing them to shed their human form for a monstrous form completely alien to anything we have ever seen in this universe. Ninety-nine point eight percent of the time, the riotous mutation in their bodies rips them apart, killing them long before they finish the mutation process. It’s a terrible way to die.”

“Did anyone ever survive these heinous experiments?” Andrew asked; horrified by what he was hearing. Enoch, Drew, Amelia, Electra, and Kida were likewise shocked by the report.

“In the nearly thirteen thousand cycles that I was prisoner, only a handful survived the Chromosome 24 experiments, especially after the Calamity,” Josephine said darkly. She looked directly at Nemesis and declared, “You’re one of the survivors, Nemesis. You have Chromosome 24 in you and it’s not of human origin, even though you did start out as human. Somehow, you survived the experiment, and it gave you your phenomenal strength, intelligence, and healing power. That’s why the Emperor chose you as the alpha model for the Xenian program. Your body somehow accepted and acclimatized to Chromosome 24 when no one else did. And you’re not alone. Magnus also survived the Chromosome 24 experiment, and is thus now the beta Xenian prototype. The reptile prototype and spider prototypes also survived the splice because of the alien nature of their mutation. That’s why you four are considered the Cadre’s masterpiece of genetic engineering. It’s why they mass produce clones of you four to serve as shock troops. You’re like Hanna in that you have Chromosome 24. However, unlike you, some other intelligence placed Chromosome 24 in Hanna, which is why she’s retained her human form, unlike you.”

“That’s evil beyond my comprehension,” Enoch said with great anger and disgust. “The Emperor will pay for these atrocities. You say all others perished?”

“Not all,” Josephine stated grimly. “The few that did survive who were not adopted as prototypes for the Emperor’s weapons program were often vivisected to find out how they survived. But I remember one in particular who endured this heinous experiment that they could not control or destroy. He was Zaros’ brother, Minos. Zaros condemned him to the labs after he took the throne from his father. It happened right after he fed his mother to the taroks and forced Minos to watch. The experiment turned him into a monstrous minotaur that was nigh invulnerable. Minos’ strength could not be contained, and neither could his rage at what happened to him and his mother. Minos was supposed to have been the alpha Xenian, but when they couldn’t control him or his rage, nor actually kill him, Zaros exiled his mutated brother to the city of Ix on the Isle of the Dead. The Cadre that took him to that cursed isle never returned. I can only assume Minos killed them, or some of the fell creatures haunting that place destroyed them. I don’t know if he survived that fell place or not.”

“I didn’t know the Emperor had a brother,” Enoch said softly.

“He does,” Josephine stated bluntly, “but he never admits it. It’s one of the Emperor’s darkest secrets. Anyone who mentions that the Emperor has a brother is taken to the labs to be used in the experiments. Chromosome 24 experiments continue there to this day at the Black Fortress and in the Cadre’s headquarters in Kartoom. However, with your rescue raid, the experiments in the Black Fortress have been curtailed by the destruction of the Cadre labs there. Still, they still seek to unlock the secret of Chromosome 24 so they can create an army of dark gods to do their bidding. Fortunately, they’ve never been able to have reliable success with the experiments. They still don’t understand why only a handful of specimens out of millions ever survive and adapt to Chromosome 24. It’s driving them mad. They just can’t seem to figure it out, even after 13,000 cycles. Something is not letting them find that key.

“That’s why I think Hanna is unique in ways we can’t comprehend. She has Chromosome 24 in such a way that indicates she was created with it. It’s not spliced in like it is in Nemesis and Magnus. I can see such splices in the genetic code. Whenever a chromosome or genetic code is spliced in, it leaves a scar on the DNA helix that can be detected with the proper equipment. When I mutated Hannibal into Hanna, I saw no such splices in her genetic structure. Even her alien codes appear to be original and not spliced in. She was created this way by a power far beyond what we know or understand. I believe Hanna is the alpha of a new species of human created by the Ancient of Days in order to counter the Darkness infesting this universe. I have no doubt of that now. That’s why she feels so alone and isolated, even among her friends and family. She knows she’s different. It’s also why she’s most comfortable around Lynxians. Somehow, she identifies with them more than she does humans.”

“So is she human?” Drew asked.

“Yes,” Josephine declared, “But not like any human that’s ever graced this planet. I get the distinct impression that she’s a guardian of some kind and doesn’t realize it. She strives to set right any wrong and make sure they’re in balance. When the Light and Darkness are out of balance, Hanna is not happy. It makes her very moody and ill at ease. Am I right, Miss Selina?”

“You are,” Selina admitted sleepily. “Even before her mutation, Hanna’s always endeavored to make sure the scales were balanced. As someone who’s seen both the Light and Darkness, she has a unique perspective even I don’t have. When things are in balance, Hanna’s such a happy soul and a delight to be around. But when things get out of balance, it upsets her greatly and she goes out of her way to right the wrong. Her moods deteriorate and she desperately tries to find what’s wrong in order to remedy it. At least that’s what I’ve seen since Hannibal rescued Dad and I from the Interceptor. In a way, I’m much like Hanna.”

“I can see that,” Josephine stated. “You and Hanna literally are two sides of the same coin. Ahh, I’m done. Before I retract my nano-machines, scan Hanna to make sure I’ve cleared her of the infection.”

Nemesis and Magnus scanned Hanna with the pulse gamma scan while Enoch scanned Hanna with the Healer. “She’s clear,” Nemesis announced. “I see just a little scarring from the infection, but I don’t see any further infection. You did a remarkable job, Josephine.”

“I concur,” Magnus agreed. “Hanna’s clear.”

“The Healer agrees,” Enoch declared. “I see nothing to indicate further shebat infections. Hanna’s vitals are now strong a stable and her brain activity indicates she’s in a deep sleep.”

“Excellent,” Josephine chimed, pulling her tentacles back from Hanna. In seconds, she wove them back into her machine arms. She stretched and sighed deeply. “Thanks be to the Almighty that’s done,” she said in obvious relief, covering Hanna’s chest with her swimsuit top, tying the strap back in place. “I didn’t think I could do it.”

Nemesis walked around Hanna’s table and patted Josephine on the shoulder. “You did very well,” he congratulated. “You did something none of us could have done. You purged both Hanna and Selina of a shebat infestation without major surgery that could have potentially done more harm than good. How’re you feeling?”

“Very tired,” Josephine admitted, “but very good too. I saved my friends from a heinous death. I definitely could use a nap.”

“You’ve earned it,” Nathanael declared. “Thank you for saving them Josephine.”

Josephine’s heart fluttered, giving her a pleasant chill racing down her spine. “You’re welcome, my friends,” she replied. “But we still have one last thing to do.”

“Dispose of the shebats,” Enoch stated. “And we’ll do that as soon as I run the decontamination protocol. Give me a minute.”

“Of course,” Nemesis stated. “We can’t be too careful when dealing with the shebats.”

“Running the protocol now,” Enoch stated, activating the Healer’s decontamination program with special attention being paid to the shebats. The Healer’s main beam from the center machine swept the entire shielded area and its occupants for shebat contamination. After a few moments, Enoch announced, “Decontamination procedure complete. You’ll be relieved that the Healer didn’t find any further contamination by the shebats. It seems Josephine’s meticulous procedure didn’t allow any shebats to escape while she was treating Hanna and Selina. I’ll raise the shield now.” In moments, the biohazard shield vanished and Electra darted directly to Selina with Nathanael and Kida. Amelia, Arabella, and Drew moved over to Hanna.

Grasping Selina by the hand, Electra asked, choked with emotion, “How are you feeling, Selina?”

“Very tired,” Selina murmured. “But I’m not in pain and I can breathe again. Can you just let me sleep? I can barely keep my eyes open now.”

“Go to sleep, princess,” Nathanael urged. “The crisis has passed and you’re going to be okay.”

“Thanks, dad,” Selina whispered before falling dead asleep, no longer able to fight the sedative Magnus gave her or the sedating properties of the Healer.

Kida stroked Selina’s hair gently. “Sleep, sis, sleep...you deserve it,” she purred.

“Both Hanna and Selina’s vitals are stable,” Enoch reported as he walked over from the main console. “They’re going to be okay, though I was worried there for a few moments.”

“We all were,” Josephine admitted. “Purging seventh gen shebats is an extremely delicate and dangerous operation. Seems both Fate and the Ancient of Days has favored us this day. Enoch, we need to dispose of these shebats now. Hanna insisted that we throw them into a volcano in Tartarus. Can your portal do that?”

“Yes,” Enoch answered. “But we must be careful where we open it. One of our best defenses is our ability to remain hidden from the Emperor’s eye.”

“I have a thought about where we can dispose of the shebats,” Nemesis rumbled. “The southern reaches of the Crags of Shiar are highly volcanic with some of the most dangerous volcanoes outside of the Blister Fields. Their magma is some of the hottest in all the caverns. Thirty leagues south of the ruins of Shiar Eloi is the most dangerous of these volcanoes.”

“I know that volcano,” Horace chimed. “It’s called Mt. Tartarus and it’s extremely volatile with some of the hottest magma in all the caverns. The eruptions are highly erratic and very powerful, sometimes sending out pyroclastic and lava flows simultaneously. One thousand cubit magma fountains have been observed rising from it caldera, which is two leagues across. It also has the highest levels of poisonous gasses of any volcano. The gas levels are lethal at five leagues with sulfuric and hydrochloric acids and cyanide levels at the caldera high enough to melt all but our toughest alloys. The last time it erupted, it pulverized everything within twenty leagues to ash. That volcano is even more dangerous than Mt. Ragnarok just outside of Amacia. Can you open the portal without letting the poisonous gas, heat, and other hazards through? I have no experience with 1st Age portal technology.”

“It can be done,” Enoch reported. “But I’ll have to engage the safety features to be sure. Josephine, what do you need to remove the shebats from your magnetic bottle?”

“Just another magnetic bottle,” Josephine stated. “That’s it. I can connect to the new bottle and empty my internal bottle.”

“Then let’s find that bottle and get rid of those little beasts,” Enoch stated. “The Healer can take care of Hanna and Selina now. Come on.”

“I’m going to stay a bit longer,” Electra announced.

“Me too,” Kida stated, “I just want to watch over them for a little longer just to be sure.”

“I can understand your feelings on this,” Josephine said softly. “You care for them a great deal, but be of good cheer. Both Hanna and Selina are purged of Zaros’ terrible weapon. I just hope the shield around this place is powerful enough to keep them from tracking the shebats. I know the Emperor’s going to try.”

“He may not know of their infection,” Nemesis suggested. “I know before I was found out the Emperor forbade Ahriaman from using the shebats or anything else on Selina because of his brutal treatment of her. Knowing Ahriaman, he most likely did it anyway as a backup plan. He saw Selina as a direct threat to his position. With Ahriaman dead in Selina’s tower cell, there’s no way for the Emperor to find out what he did.”

“You may be right, old friend,” Enoch stated. “But we can’t make that assumption. We must assume that the Emperor is already trying to track the shebats. That’s what makes getting them into that volcano so imperative. Come on. Let’s get those things off this island.” With that, Enoch marched out of the healing chamber on a mission. Josephine followed with Andrew helping her because she’d grown considerably weaker because of the operations. Nemesis, Horace, and Magnus brought up the rear, leaving Nathanael, Electra, Kida, Arabella, Amelia, and Drew standing around Hanna and Selina.

Just to satisfy their curiosity, Arabella and Drew performed their own examinations of Selina and Hanna, checking their vitals closely. “They’re going to be okay,” Nathanael insisted. “But I must say I’ve never seen anything like this in all my life.”

“Me neither,” Arabella replied, checking Selina’s pulse, finding it steady. “The Emperor has such evil weapons. I still have trouble wrapping my mind around this shebat business. It’s like someone took Ebola and turned it into a programmable weapon that could attack specific targets. It’s evil beyond my comprehension.”

“That it is,” Drew agreed. “My people had no concept of such a diabolical weapon until Amelia brought Hanna back to Acheron. Thanks be to the Almighty that Magnus had some idea about how to deal with it.”

“The shebat is one of the Emperor’s worst weapons,” Amelia declared. “They can be spread in so many ways. They could even infect someone and send him or her back into the enemy camp where it would kill the host and take out everyone around them. It’s a terrible weapon because it can slip in unnoticed. By time you figure out what’s happening, it’s too late. That’s why I’m so relieved we were able to discover them when we did. Surely, the Ancient of Days and Fate herself moved to preserve us from this most diabolical weapon.”

“Amen,” Arabella chimed. “Selina’s okay from what I can see. What about Hanna, Drew?”

“She’s okay,” Drew reported. “Everything’s normal except for this deep sleep she’s in, and that may be because of this machine and the sedatives she got during the operation.”

“Same here,” Arabella agreed. “Still, I’m worried. Something’s not right. I can feel it. I feel we’ve missed something incredibly important, but I don’t know what it is. It has me on edge for no reason.”

“I agree,” Amelia said softly. “Something just doesn’t feel right about this situation. We should keep our guard up. Even though the shebats have been successfully removed from Hanna and Selina, that doesn’t mean the Emperor won’t try to hit them again from afar. From what I understand, he’s done it before.”

“You’re right,” Nathanael declared. “The Emperor has hit them repeatedly with psychic attacks since we arrived in this great underground realm. With the success of Hanna’s rescue mission, he’ll no doubt try another attack bent on killing Hanna outright. I suggest we pray the Almighty shields her and Selina from any telepathic or psychic assault while they’re recovering.”

“Both of them have my prayers,” Arabella stated.

“Mine too,” Amelia said forcefully. “I still owe them for what they did for me.”

“Hanna is the One,” Drew announced. “She has my prayers and the prayers of all our people. She’s saved our asses twice, so it’s the least we can do.”

“She has all our prayers,” Electra declared. “So does Selina. But there’s something more going on here than meets the eye. Arabella is right in thinking we’ve missed something important. I can sense it. What it is I cannot truly say because I don’t know. What I’m sensing is like a distant phantom seen in a fog. It’s subtle, elusive. The only thing I do know about it is that Hanna, in particular, is at the center of this. We should not leave them alone. I suggest we keep watch over them in shifts until they wake up. Praying would not be a bad idea either. I can’t tell whether this thing is hostile towards them or not, so we must make the assumption that it is. The Emperor has many dirty tricks he can use to get to them, so we must be ready for anything.”

“Momma’s right,” Kida agreed. “I too feel it. We should watch very them very carefully, at least until they wake. Maybe when they wake up, we can figure out what’s going on here.”

“Well said,” Drew chimed. “Besides, it’s only right to keep them under observation after such a traumatic operation. You all heard Josephine say how dangerous shebat purges are. We need to keep an eye on them, if for no other reason than that. Now, who’s going to take the first shift? I’d like to, but I have patients who need me.”

“Unfortunately, I too have to make my rounds,” Arabella stated flatly. “I can’t just abandon my other patients. Hanna wouldn’t want me to do that.”

“I know she wouldn’t,” Kida agreed.

“I’ll do it,” Amelia volunteered. “Just come relieve me in a couple of hours, okay?”

“Don’t worry, we will,” Nathanael purred, patting Amelia on the shoulder. “In the meantime, I’ll check to see if they successfully disposed of those little monsters.”

“That would make me sleep a bit easier,” Amelia admitted. “I get extremely nervous when I know there are shebats about.”

“Enoch will make sure those little beasts are properly disposed of,” Kida reassured while stroking Selina’s hair briefly. “He understands the danger they pose to all of us. Would you like a little snack while you watch over them, Amelia?”

“Sure,” Amelia replied. “Some fruit and water would be nice; I am a bit thirsty and hungry.”

“I’ll get you something,” Kida said with a smile as she stepped back from Selina’s table. “I’ll see you in a little bit.” Amelia nodded.

“You let us know if anything happens,” Arabella ordered.

“I will,” Amelia stated.

Arabella smiled warmly at Amelia, patting her on the arm. “You’re a good friend, Amelia,” she chimed, “I’ll be back after I make my rounds in the infirmary.”

Amelia nodded, watching Nathanael, Electra, Kida, Arabella, and Drew leave. She quickly found an unused chair, sitting it between Hanna and Selina’s tables. A sigh escaped her lips as she settled into the chair. “I sure hope I’m wrong about the Emperor trying to kick them while they’re down,” Amelia murmured.

***

Twelve hours later, Arabella sat watching over Hanna and Selina in the Healing Chamber. The humming of the Healer and its healing beam had lulled Arabella to light sleep while she sat in the chair. She stirred as the Healer finished working on Hanna and Selina, withdrawing its healing beam and going quiet. The sudden lack of sound caused Arabella to wake with a start. As soon as she realized the machine had completed its work, she rose and checked both Hanna and Selina’s vitals. Electra, Kida, Amelia, and Emma walked in, seeing Arabella tending to Hanna and Selina.

“Oh, the machine is finished with them,” Electra observed, walking up with the others.

“Yes,” Arabella replied, closely checking Hanna’s pulse. “It just finished.”

“How are they,” Amelia asked.

“Okay,” Arabella reported. “Their pulse is strong and steady, as is their breathing. But they are still deep asleep. The sedatives Nemesis and Magnus gave them may still be in effect.”

“It’s very likely,” Kida agreed. “Both of them got heavy doses of sedatives and painkillers while Josephine removed those little monsters. I suggest we get them back to their quarters so others can make use of these two tables. We still have a number of people who could use time in the Healer.”

“I agree,” Arabella replied. “Amelia, Emma, could you grab those empty gurneys and bring them here?”

“Sure,” Emma replied, going with Amelia to the far side of the healing chamber where two empty gurneys sat waiting. Bringing them back, Kida and Electra moved Selina to one of the gurneys. Amelia, Emma, and Arabella likewise shifted Hanna to the other gurney.

“Take them to their quarters,” Arabella ordered. “I’m going to check on my other patients in here.”

“Sure thing,” Kida answered. “Come on; let’s get Hanna and Selina into a soft bed.” She, Electra, Emma, and Amelia left with the unconscious pair while Arabella stayed, checking on the other patients.

Minutes later in Hanna and Selina’s quarters, Electra said, “We should change their clothes and clean them up before putting them into the bed. Their swimsuits are soaked with sweat.”

“Right,” Kida replied, at which time they undressed and bathed Hanna and Selina in turn. After bathing them, they dressed Hanna and Selina in nightgowns before putting them to bed, covering them up to the shoulders.

“There, that should do,” Electra stated. “It looks as if they’re getting some good rest now. I’ll keep tabs on them just in case.”

“Just let me know if you need any help,” Emma offered. Amelia and Kida likewise offered to help keep an eye on Hanna and Selina.

“It’s okay,” Electra replied. “Feel free to check in on them any time. But I’m going to make a point of checking in on them every three to four hours. We can’t be too careful. That strange feeling I felt concerning Hanna hasn’t gone away. We need to be vigilant and keep watch until they wake.”

“Right,” Amelia replied. “We’ll keep alert.”

“Good,” Electra chimed. “Now, let’s leave them to sleep.” With that, the four women left the room, closing the door behind them softly.