“I… Wouldn’t know.” She murmured, looking away from him, “I wasn’t there. If I was, I could have prevented this whole ordeal.” It would have seemed that the young woman had taken the weight of the world on her shoulders since the incident happened. Then something inside clicked as the diamonds settled on Malachite, “Someone else could have though, I mean, I was not the only great mind at that location.” She tapped a finger against her cheek, “So, Malachite, why don’t you tell me? Why didn’t YOU stop it? How did you and Emma survive?” She glared at him.

He shifted his jaw from side to side, “Don’t attempt to shift the blame because you are upset. The story is long and complicated. We have little time and it’s just too much to discuss at this moment, Charlotte.”

“No, Kite. There is ample time.” She pointed to a clock on the wall, “You just don’t want to distribute the wealth of knowledge. Between the truths and the lies…” Charlotte closed her eyes, “Why is it so hard for you to just let me in?”

“Why? Because I’m supposed to save the world.” He stated simply and coolly.

“You aren’t supposed to save the world, Kite, and how can you?” She said with an exasperated laugh, “When you can’t save me, or Emma. You can’t even save yourself, man.” She grabbed him by the biceps, “What’s gotten into you? You’ve never been like this.”

His stared into her eyes, “Never? I’ve always been like this. You’ve just never seen it.” He pushed away from her looking at the chemicals she had stolen nearly two decades before. Malachite smiled, “We came here. My father, mother, and I, when I was five. Though I was small, I was very aware… Much like you were, Charlotte. It seems that our parents knew each other before we knew each other, because… Well, quite frankly there isn’t enough data in the world to support three friends coincidently conceiving incredibly intelligent children.”

“Are you going to tell me what this is all about?” Charlotte asked him with a straight face.

“In time.” He replied quietly. Malachite looked around, “This started with my mother, actually if you want to get technical, my grandmother. She and her husband were Earth-kin. They occupied one of the first research stations deployed. It was part of the pioneer act, you know. When they deployed the 240 series, the government had neglected to inform any of the occupants of the… quirks the ship possessed. At first they were bugs in the system, and tech lead could work them out. Later, the bugs mutated into viruses, and eventually the station was being destroyed inside out.” He paused with a grin, “You may wonder what this has to do with my lineage?”

“My grandparents were researchers on that station. The place provided a completely controlled environment, which in turn gave scientists a perfect place to work on their most dangerous projects.” He looked away from her, “My grandmother’s thesis was complicated, but her husband loved her and would do anything to make her happy. She was consumed with theories of improving the human race. The meteor was imminent at that point, and governments were increasing pressure on their researchers. People were worried that it would wipe out our entire race. My grandmother worked for the united states at the time, and he crazy ideas caught their attention. Thus, she had the grant and managed to execute her experimentation.” Malachite paused.

“What experiments?” Charlotte inquired, crossing her arms, “Those tests were solely vegetative. They had nothing to do with humanity, or politics.”

“Shows how much you know,” he replied sharply. “My grandmother had unlimited funding to develop her project. She called it metamorphosing genomes. Through that, she developed her the basis for her legacy.” He angled his head at her, “You’re aware we had relations with other races. Outworlders, we call them now.” He sighed, “She managed to get a hold of other word genetic material. Then she used invitro fertilization to impregnate ten subjects… Including herself.”

“The idea was to create an evolved generation of humans that had the ability to adapt to their environment faster. So, if the meteor hit, the race wouldn’t die, we’d just quickly change habits that took thousands of years to develop.” Malachite ran a hand through his white hair, “Two of the subjects miscarried. Three delivered stillborns. Four delivered babies that had some sort of handicap. They were mute, deaf, and other sorts.”

“That leaves your grandmother.” Charlotte calculated.

“Yes, it does hold irony that my grandmother was the only one that delivered two healthy babies.”

“Two?”

He smiled, “Yes. Two. Two girls, to be exact. Zepthelia, and Astetas.” He looked down, “They did have capabilities to adapt, but they were also incredibly brilliant. This was a factor she hadn’t counted on.” The man’s shoulder arched back in a stretch, “My mother, and her sister, grew up on that space station under intense observation. Of course, they were only up there until the station came crashing down.”

“So was the experiment a success, then?” Charlotte inquired.

“Not entirely, because the children that did survive did not adapt to the environments they were exposed to. At least, not at the rate the regulators wanted. So, they stopped funding for experiments, and limited her research. By that time, the station was malfunctioning and it was only a matter of time.” Malachite closed his eyes, “The day that it fell, I remember my mother saying it was terribly cold, even for her. Their mother told them to leave, just put co-ordinates in and go. My mother and her sister followed instructions, but the pod had the same virus as the station. Or, maybe it was a mutation of the virus. Whatever it was, the co-ordinates were wrong, and they didn’t get back to earth.”

“Is there any end to this saga? I can already see where it’s going. It’s like a mediocre mystery novel you would purchase at a thrift store. Your grandmother is still alive and helped conceived us.” The pale woman settled back as though she’d solve the entire situation. She wore a smug smile, and chuckled, “I’m right, aren’t I?”

“Not in the least. Are you going to let me finish?” He asked with a disdainful look.

Charlotte’s face fell, and she sneered, “Go on. I don’t see how much more there could be.

“Thank you,” He said satisfied, “They crash landed on Galicia. We aren’t sure what happened to Astetas, but my mother said her sister was gone by the time she awoke.”

“So, your aunt is still alive?” Charlotte looked at him, “And how old were they?”

“Twelve.” He said curtly, “My mother lived on the cold streets of Galicia, serving as an emergency doctor. She learned the trades of the cities there, and became somewhat of a jack of all trades. Apparently, she inherited her mother’s passion for science, because she was always dabbling. She established herself with a medical degree and high honors in science. Then she met my father when she was sixteen. He was an arsonist at the time. Poor fool stumbled while he was jumping roofs, feel twenty stories and broke seven ribs.” He smirked.

“My mother was in the crowd watching the building he set fire to burn, when she heard him hit the dumpster. Being the advocate for health, she rushed to him. For a few months she nursed him back to health on his own terms.” Malachite looked at the ceiling, “I guess they fell in love, or they protected each other.”

“What a fuzzy feeling I’m getting,” Charlotte commented sarcastically.

“My mother knew her duty was with the Earth dwellers, and they found a way back. My father provided her with a supply of chemicals from his planet… I’m sure you are familiar with those.” He scowled at the box, “They arrived here and lived in what used to be New York. She attended an occupation as a science professor at a university, where I believe she met your mother.” He smiled, “Your mother was an undergraduate, who wanted to expand on my grandmother’s theories. How she got them, I have no idea.” Malachite studied Charlotte, “You can imagine what happened next?”

“They worked together,” Charlotte murmured, “And Emma’s mother too.” Her eyes flicked back and forth, as her photographic memory flipped through aged snapshots. Years of research and theses passed through her mental theatre. It was as though she was reliving the past. A still frame of her family briefly occupied her mental cavity. Her father was sitting in his old recliner, relaxing with a newspaper. Her mother sat on the sofa, flipping through a scientific journal. Charlotte shook her head, “On us?”

“Precisely. Is it coming back to you yet? I’m sure you know more than you remember.” He said to her shortly.

“Yes.” She breathed, “We’re generation two. Our parents, they worked on the hypothesis as best they could. Though, it’s against global standards, and conventions, to use humans as the test subject.” Charlotte pursed her lips, “So they perfected the formula as best they could.”

“By this time the separate nations must have been falling apart…” She nodded knowingly to herself, “Yes, that was when SPACE came out of it’s shell, and took charge. People were frightened, the biodromes were beta, and barely stable. The corporations offered safety and security… And control. They took control of the funded science programs, in which case all professors would have to hand over information. Then, wait…” Her voice trailed as she couldn’t place the facts together.

“Somehow Space managed to get a hold of information on the thesis, and they were all investigated,” Malachite chimed in, filling in the blanks, “Someone leaked, and fortunately for our parents, Space allowed them to follow through.” He paused, and looked around, “They are the reason we are here.”

“So when we say, generation two… What does that mean?” Charlotte angled her head, ebony locks twisting around to frame her face.

“We aren’t designed to adapt, as my mother was,” Malachite answered, “I have reason to believe that we are merely… Well, that is to say…” He fumbled his words, obviously failing to use the correct terminology.

“The I-gene.” She murmured, “Of course, I remember… It’s what your mother was afraid of…” Charlotte smiled with a tight jaw, “The I-gene was originally created to mutate natural proteins so human kind would be able to adapt. They didn’t have the advanced technology to achieve the standards they wanted, but they created something more. Your mother knew this, she isolated particles of the I-gene. She negated the molecules designed to mutate and adapt. Instead, your mother was striving to stabilize the molecules that already produced.”

“In theory, I should have been able to understand the file years ago, but I didn’t know all the variables. I couldn’t find the answer because the file in itself was only a variable. A piece of the puzzle… That’s what it is… A puzzle… And we’re variables, we’re pieces…” She looked at her companion, “It’s suddenly making sense.”

“You’re not there yet, Charlotte.” He said shaking his head.

“So, I guess, we were conceived as trials of the I-genes. Success stories no less.” Charlotte began pacing, “But Space should have been ecstatic, it wouldn’t make sense for them to terminate the project.”

“We are successes. The project was better than they expected. We exhibited radical IQs, and insane problem solving abilities. It must have dawned on the inter-workings that I-gene children would be problematic. Think about it. We have free will, free minds, no control.” Malachite stared her right in the eyes.

“But that would limit the rivalry between us. There’s something else going on… I can feel it, Kite.” Charlotte dropped the sarcasm. She looked around.

“There.” He nodded.

“This feeling?” She questioned.

“Yes. It’s what they’ve been trying to hide from you all these years. We know what’s wrong. We know how to fix it.” He grinned.

“But… We don’t. We can’t solve the problem, if we don’t know what it is.” She said looking at him incredulously.

“Yes, yes we can. We’re here, inside their building. It’s right here, everything, every question, every inkling, every answer to everything! Come on, Charlotte, tell me that you get it! You have to!” He placed a hand to his head, “It’s not that hard…”

She rolled her eyes, “We can’t figure anything out just by traversing the building, we’ll get caught, jailed, and then be right back in their hands. You’re not thinking logically.” Charlotte examined the room, “Now, just sit here and think for a moment. Success stories…” Her diamond-like eyes swept the room, “Control… They did have control, but why would they want to control us. What would happen without supervision?” She tapped her foot.

“We’d get curious.” Malachite offered, “About, numerous things. Not just ordinary complexities.” He closed his eyes briefly, “Economics, space, the universe, civilization, stop me when I get ridiculous…”

“Don’t be pompous,” was her sharp reply. The pale woman ambled around the island with the chemicals on it, “Hn, what about all of them… They are connected, it’s not impossible-”

“No, only improbable.” He grinned, “That’s it, what if, what if everything that’s going on with the world… What if it’s their fault?”

“That would need to be covered up. Though, how would anyone not know about it?” She tapped a finger to her chin, “Motive. What is Space’s motivation for the I-gene, and research?”

“To better the lives of humankind? To… gain power over the people, and then the government… Then take over the world?” The last part was said with a smile and a playful face.

Charlotte didn’t look amused, but rather inspired. Her stare was vacant, as though there was a graphic in front of her eyes that he couldn’t see. Vividly colored lips moved slightly forming soundless words. He knew the expression. She was deep in thought, and suddenly, like a jolt of lightening the color flooded back into her face. A smug expression replaced the former, and she pointed an accusing finger, “What if that’s it? It’s not completely irrational.”

“I was seriously kidding.” He said with a confused look.

“No, I’m not, though. Centuries have gone by, and tons of people have tried to take over the world. Not all in one instance, I’m sure, but gaining that kind of global power, yes. A thousand and some odd years ago, savage primitive humanoids tried to establish massive empires. The Ottomans, Romans, later the Germans, the Russians, the Arabic?” She nodded, “Yes, yes, now is no different. With everyone distracted and frightened it’s the perfect time to strike!”

“Expand, please?”

“With the meteor, everyone was looking for help. They needed somewhere safe, someone to support them. Governments fell apart everywhere. Communism is gone, along with any other sort of government conflicts from the past.” Charlotte paused fore a breath, “The council only formed because no one else could stand the pressure, and even then… No one has done a good job. We’re sustained. We’re alive, and existing. No one is thriving. So, what happens? Space, a meager globally based company with questionable origins out of the blue rises to the occasion. Hardly a decade later and their human resources department is housing most of the world. They’ve become a monopoly, taking advantage of vulnerable business owners to profit their own ulterior motives.”

“So, they decide they want power one day?”

“You’re not getting it, Kite.” She corrected, “This wasn’t a spur of the moment decision. Every move has been carefully calculated, and we were all a part of it. It’s been years since the plan was set into action, I’m sure, but no doubt they’ve progressed. The true secrets lie with the origin. What are their beliefs, why do they want power, what is there for them to gain?”

Malachite nodded, “Oh yes…” He took it all in for a moment, “But… I think, the thing we need to be worried about is… Who’s in charge? Not just the president, it’s more than that. Who’s project was this? …And what are their goals for the future?”