The Reincarnation

“You boys getting hungry?” Donna asked.

“I wish,” John muttered.

“What’s that?” David asked.

“I said I wish I could eat. You’ve taken more from me than my soul and my energy. You’ve taken away all my bodily functions. I don’t eat, don’t really sleep. I’m more of a...robot than a human being.”

David realized that if Dr. Persey was right about the word ‘robot’ being out of date, that John must have found it in David’s head. “Well, maybe if I share some energy with you you’ll be able to eat.”

“I doubt it. I’m fucked. You’ve got my soul, don’t rub it in.” He looked up. “Will you at least untie me?”

“Not just yet. Let me eat first.” David motioned to get up.

“Just my legs then?”

David turned and faced John. “John, despite what you’ve told me, I still think you might have tried to kill me this morning. Give me some time to get that out of my system. Okay?”

John was quiet a minute, planning his response. “Fair enough. But listen, even if I had that intention – which I didn’t – I know it wouldn’t do me any good now. It’s obviously your soul. It’s through with me. It used me up and spit me out.”

“John...”

“No, it’s true. I’m a goner. I realize it’s not your fault, though. You didn’t plan it like the Church did. You just woke up. I’d have done the same.”

David reached over suddenly and untied John’s legs. They got up and walked together over to the women. Donna had prepared a cold breakfast, not wanting a fire to attract attention.

Donna and Laura were finishing up a conversation of their own about some rumors Donna had heard about the Church.

“A guy I know swears he’s seen them. They keep these women in poor countries pregnant all the time, and milk them just like they used to milk cows. They have whole factories set up for it.” Donna doled out food to John and he pushed it away with his foot.

“Look, I think we all agree that the only reason the Church is vegan is so that the breast milk of its followers is pure enough to be used to cure cancer. Fine. But the idea that they’ve got factory farms set up to do this – it seems a little harsh, even for the Church.” Laura’s reluctance to believe Donna was waning despite her words.

“Okay, an example. The preventive medical clinics they set up all those years ago. Everybody thought that was a great idea, and it was. But they only did it because it was profitable. Sure, it cost MCA Hospitals a bit up front, but they made their money back quickly.” Donna handed David his breakfast and continued. “What we’re forgetting is that MCA Insurance was insuring all those people. We all know that you’re going to stay a lot healthier with preventive care, and the Church knew this too. Combined with a vegan diet, it all but guaranteed that these people wouldn’t get sick. Check the records, Laura. MCA Insurance made more money after those clinics opened than they ever had before. They were able to cut their costs in half and still charge just as much for health insurance premiums.” Donna paused, trying to sense if her argument was sinking in. “My point is this: they’re only in it for the money, and if that means keeping poor women pregnant and literally milking them for money, I don’t put it past the Church.”

“Maybe you’re right.” Laura shook her head. “I can’t believe I work...used to work there,” she muttered, turning her attention to breakfast.

David saw that they were done and smiled, despite Donna’s disturbing talk. “Not to interrupt this great conversation, but what should we do now? John probably led the Lab to the cabin if they’re any good at tracking. What do we do next?”

Donna answered, “Well, we could ambush them.”

Laura said softly, “Eco-Assassin them.” Donna and Laura giggled.

“Wouldn’t that just get us into more trouble?” David asked after they had settled down.

Donna answered him. “Well, if I know the Church, the man who would be following John is Victor Grey. He’s a really nasty guy, and he doesn’t give up unless the Church calls him off. He’s like an attack dog – but a very clever one. If I’m right, and he’s the one they have tracking you, you can rest assured he’ll find you eventually. He’s taken out a few of my friends in the past and he isn’t nice about it. Horrible, in fact.”

“If we do that won’t they just send somebody else? I mean, he’s not the only one they have for this kind of thing, is he?” David leaned forward.

“No, he’s not the only one. Just the best. If we throw him off our trail, I don’t think they’ll send somebody else. I don’t think they’ll risk it.”

“Risk what? Are you saying I’m not worth a few headhunters?” David joked, but was serious about the Lab’s efforts to find them.

“Well, they may. You probably won’t ever be sure no one’s after you. But if we get to Victor Grey and put him out of action, the trail will be cold. Somebody else would have nothing to go on.”

“True. But then I’ll never really be able to show my face in public again, will I? I mean, I’ll be an utter fugitive.”

“Welcome to the club, David,” Donna answered, mock saluting him. “We’re all more or less fugitives of some sort. It’s not that bad, honestly. I know you can’t appreciate this yet because you’ve been in the deep freeze for so long, but public life isn’t something you’ll miss all that much. The Church has its claws into everything, and if you were out living a normal life, you might want to give it up anyway. We all care for each other,” Donna looked at him seriously, “and do everything for each other that regular society could offer you. More in fact.”

“Well, that’s reassuring. You’re right – I don’t know what it’s like anymore. From what I remember, corporations controlled everything, the government was their puppet, and everyone was pretty much a slave to technology.”

“Right. Now substitute the Church for corporations, the nation for government, and megatechnology for technology. Welcome to the future.” Donna chuckled dryly, and Laura joined her. “By the way, I found an article yesterday that you should read.”

Donna got up and went to the Bug, returning with a magazine. “You might want to read this so you can see what the Church has been up to for the past twenty-five years. From a non-Church perspective, that is,” Donna handed David the magazine. “It wouldn’t hurt you to read it either, Laura.”

David saw that the magazine was called In These Times.