Humans Volume 2: Those Who Have the Mark

By Alexandra L. Yates

Cathy and her Elite friends are back from their 10-day shuttle trip outside the Red World. They have successfully passed their test and can start the next phase of their training to become the Red World’s leaders. They return with the intention to assume power from the current Government but they still have a lot of unanswered questions, the main one being: Who attacked them in Toledo? Three months later, they get some answers that allow them to again leave their domed Kantas City and travel to the other side of the ocean. The Eight have encounters that they can only survive thanks to their special abilities. Why are those who have the Mark being hunted? What is so special about them? In this second volume, the Eight will need to be united more than ever to survive in this 22nd-century, post-apocalyptic planet.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu Publishing Services
• Release date: Nov 21, 2019
• ISBN: 9781684713295

Book preview

HUMANS

Volume 2: Those Who Have the Mark

Alexandra L. Yates

Copyright © 2019 Alexandra L. Yates.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted by any means—whether auditory, graphic, mechanical, or electronic—without written permission of the author, except in the case of brief excerpts used in critical articles and reviews. Unauthorized reproduction of any part of this work is illegal and is punishable by law.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

ISBN: 978-1-6847-1330-1 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6847-1329-5 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2019918283

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Lulu Publishing Services rev. date: 11/11/2019

To my

husband, Dominique,

for being the rock I hold on to when I falter. We all need a rock.

SUMMARY OF VOLUME 1: THE MARK

H UMANS, VOLUME 1: THE Mark transported readers to 2125, a century after the destruction of much of the planet’s biosphere by the Ecological Wars of 2025. In this new world, a group of recruits, the Elite Eight, are training to become the future leaders of the Red World Government.

Cathy, Tabitha, Stephanie, Leah, James, Jesse, Chris, and Max live in Kantas City, an authoritarian society that has eradicated many of the injustices of the pre-apocalyptic world at the cost of many ancient freedoms. As part of its training, the group was sent on a mission to study other cities and villages in the Red World. After venturing off course, the Eight discovered information that led them to question the methods of their government as well as the origins of their exceptional skills. In addition to each one having a recognizable Mark on their shoulder blade, they also have the power to communicate telepathically with one another. They have developed specific and complementary gifts: Cathy, a blonde with green eyes, has the gift of being able to judge people’s morality with a simple glance. Chris, with straight black hair and slightly brown skin, is an exceptional computer scientist and can see colors around people. He is also developing the gift of premonition. Leah, a redhead with curly hair, can detect diseases and heal with her hands. Max, with dark blond hair and brown eyes, is able to converse with animals. Tabitha, beautiful, dark-skinned and with large hazel eyes, can listen to all conversations from a distance. Stephanie, a brunette with blue eyes, has a photographic memory. James, a tall blond, has exceptional physical strength and knows how to control the water element perfectly. Jesse, a man with dark brown hair and grey eyes, can direct anyone’s mind when they look at him.

Humans, Volume 1: The Mark ended with the attack on Toledo where the mother of Poseidon, leader of the city’s Rebels, was killed. The Eight returned to Kantas City with a strong determination to assume power and change the world.

Volume 2 takes place three months later, still in the year 2125. Let yourself be transported into this world, which does not yet exist. Be aware that any reference to the current world in the story, especially in flashbacks, is pure fiction. Exactly how different, you can decide.

Map of Kantas City

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PART 3

KANTAS CITY - YEAR 2125

CHAPTER 1

CATHY

10:48 a.m., Kantas City time.

C ATHY BLOWS GENTLY. A slight warmth comes out of her mouth. It is particularly cold this morning in the room. Even temperature regulators have stopped running properly , she thinks.

She closes her eyes and concentrates on the rhythm of her heart. Her breathing, irregular a few seconds ago, is calming down. She’s finally regaining control. She likes to control the level of her heart rate.

Then comes the pain. It feels like an electric shock going through her whole body.

She doesn’t have to look at her fists to know that a red liquid is soaking through the bandages around her hands. It’s not a big deal, she thinks. Don’t think about the pain.

Now she opens her eyes and exhales, emitting a raucous sound. She looks at the punching bag in front of her and resumes her training: punch to the left, punch to the right. She continues until she no longer feels the pain. Especially this pain, the pain that is nestled in the deepest part of her belly. It is called absence.

Then there is the other pain, which is called frustration. It is the frustration of still being here in Kantas City.

Finally, she must not think about what her mother just told her. It is essential to forget the words spoken.

Sweat drips down her forehead. Blonde streaks are glued to her cheeks, forming a canvas around a face that is still beautiful despite being distorted by concentration and sadness.

Crimson drops fall quietly to the concrete floor as Cathy hits the sandbag.

A sour smell permeates the room, coming from a mixture of must, sweat, and blood.

Leah and Chris are just arriving in the training room. They shiver but stay and watch their friend work out. They don’t say a word.

She’s not going to be holding out much longer like that, Leah tells Chris telepathically, while she squeezes her red curls out of restlessness. She’s shutting herself out more and more.

Don’t worry about it! We’re on the right track. We are making progress in our training and in our investigations. Cathy will always put our common project above her own problems.

You know I can hear you, don’t you? asks Cathy. She continues to grumble every time she hits the object of her frustration.

Come on, Cathy says Leah. The rest of the group will be at the Kitchen any moment.

Cathy stops and looks at her bleeding hands. She then decides to wipe them on her face, then along her bare legs. She quickly arranges her blond, wavy hair into a disordered mat. Only her large green eyes retain their incomparable golden glow.

Leah contemplates her with annoyance. Then follows Chris to the Kitchen. Cathy is tailing them from a distance.

They use the few corridors of their Elite Training Center, which lead them to their main living area: The Kitchen. It is a small, clean room with a table and eight chairs. Eight is the number of Elite Students: Cathy, Leah, Stephanie, Tabitha, James, Chris, Max, and Jesse.

Tabitha is already there, sitting with her legs resting on the table. She is in a lively discussion with Jesse, who is looking at his portrait hanging on the wall. The photograph shows him in his ceremonial uniform, all in white, with the golden collar and the red band on his arm. If the photo had been taken from behind, it would have been possible to see the Mark sewn into the uniform. Through the photograph, one can feel the coldness of his eyes. His black hair, gaunt face, pale skin, and steel-colored eyes make him particularly intimidating.

Jesse! As usual, I find you contemplating yourself! Cathy exclaims when she arrives in the Kitchen.

Wow, you’re getting more and more gorgeous, says the latter, supremely ignoring what she just said.

Cathy, you look more and more like a ragged girl from Obama, Tabitha adds with a patronizing look. Which makes total sense given the amount of time you spent in that lousy neighborhood.

That’s perfect then! In fact, I don’t really care what you think of me, Cathy says. Where are the others? Chris! Leah! You asked me to hurry while I was having fun with my best friend the punching bag.

Don’t worry, Chris tries to soothe her. They’ll be here soon.

Tabitha, Jesse, Cathy, and Leah look up to the ceiling, all with smiles on their faces, when Chris uses his favorite expression, Don’t worry. They then start a casual conversation aloud about their morning activities in the various Centers. Being constantly monitored, Elite Students are used to going into telepathic mode when they want to talk about private matters. From their first encounter ten years ago, they had instinctively learned to communicate in this way.

Are you sure you’re okay, Cathy? Tabitha asks. "You look really worn out."

Yes, everything is fine, Cathy answers. I can handle it. It’s just that…

All right, come on, girl, let it out! Tell us what’s in your heart, Tabitha encourages.

Am I the only one who’s frustrated and angry here? It has now been exactly three months since we returned from our trip. Three months since we left Toledo. All around us, nothing has changed. We’re wandering around in circles. This morning, I witnessed another unfair decision and there was nothing I could do. Frankly, it’s getting harder and harder for me to control myself.

The Actives of the Administration Centers that were fired and banned to Obama, you’re talking about that, aren’t you? Tabitha asks her.

The reason was that the father was no longer concentrating enough on his work. He had, according to those at his Center, subversive ideas.

Cathy! Tabitha interrupts her. He seriously disrupted his unit with his ideas. Everyone was afraid that he would turn violent, with himself, with his colleagues or even with his family.

Yes, well, I probed him. He only asks himself questions about the Red World. He’s no worse than you or me. Our Government’s drugs and propaganda no longer work on him. So what’s their answer? The whole family thrown to Obama, for a first offense.

Cathy, upon her return, had been integrated into the Justice Centers. Her ability to discover people’s personality and morals made her an excellent judge. She is preparing to one day become the leader and replace Matilda. Yet in her moments of doubt regarding her future role, Cathy reassures herself that she can bring a little more fairness to the Red World.

Great idea, sending them to Obama, says Jesse. Now they’ll become a whole family of Rebels. Well done! How did Ajay and Matilda react?

Ajay was obviously in favor of immediately banning them from Kantas City. Matilda, as is usual lately, took the time to observe me first. She finally decided to transfer them to Obama. My analysis is that she either made this choice because of me, or to piss off Ajay.

Probably the latter. Ajay was in a great mood! adds Tabitha. I went to see him before I came here and he almost threw me out of his office.

See, Cathy? Matilda is always trying to be fair, Leah tells her.

"But this time, it was unfair!" replies Cathy. The poor man had done nothing wrong! And there was no reason to punish his wife and child.

Of course he did wrong, he was disrupting his unit, says Tabitha. This can become a serious problem for the balance of the Administration Centers. Production is already down. Frankly, Ajay is a disaster. I know I’m repeating myself, but he is so incompetent!

Come on, folks, Chris tells them aloud. All of a sudden you’re very quiet. Leah, can you tell us about your morning?

At that moment James enters the kitchen. He stops in front of the door and looks at Cathy.

Are you all right? he asks her, looking worried.

Super good! replies Cathy. Just got a little carried away with practice, that’s all! She mimics boxing movements while making faces at him, distorting her beautiful face.

You’re the one who looks like crap! says Jesse to James. "I warned you. Training under Aldo’s guidance changes a man. Watch your back, buddy."

Max and Stephanie are the last to arrive at the Kitchen. They interrupt the discussion between the other six Elite Students. Neither Max nor Stephanie seem to notice Cathy.

What great fortune it is to live in Kantas City! exclaims Max, with a beatific smile on his face.

Stephanie seems unable to hold it any longer. She announces:

Folks, after three months, I think I know who bombed us in Toledo!

CHAPTER 2

CHRIS

10:15 a.m., Kantas City time.

C HRIS HAS JUST RECEIVED Stephanie’s message asking them all to meet at the Kitchen at 11:00. Stephanie’s convoluted invitation makes it clear that this is an urgent and important request.

He has already finished everything he planned to accomplish this morning and still has a bit of time to spare before leaving. Then he will go and get Leah to share with her the information he collected about the Denisovans. He also wants to talk to her about the discussion he had with Glen. "Leah will understand me, that’s for sure." In the meantime, he goes to an empty room to be alone. He has taken with him an old computer from before the Ecological Wars—an Apple MacBook Air—and intends to overhaul it to pass the time and calm his nerves. Now that he is in training with Glen, he has the privilege of accessing these antiques, remnants of the old world.

Chris rubs his hands together. He puts the machine down and positions it perfectly parallel to the table and correctly centered in front of him. He takes out the tools he always carries with him, and aligns them at a precise distance from each other and from the computer. He rubs his hands again. That’s it, everything’s ready. He can start.

Unfortunately, right at that moment someone opens the door.

At the sight of the intruder, Chris’ right leg begins to shake, faster and faster.

I knew I would find you here, son.

Mother, I’m busy, he replies in a voice more nasal than usual.

Your father and I know very well that you’ve been avoiding us since your return. But there is no time left to waste. I need to talk to you. This is very important.

Not here, mom.

Of course, not here! There’s a place I want to show you.

Okay, all right. But first….

I know. First you have to finish what you started.

Chris doesn’t talk anymore and starts to dissect the computer.

His mother is observing him. Chris looks a lot like her. He has inherited most of his physical traits from her, along with her determination and integrity.

Focus, she says in an authoritative voice. Your leg is still shaking. Breathe, Chris, breathe.

He has heard this voice and these orders so often that his brain instantly obeys. The tremors stop immediately. She had spent so much time during his childhood teaching him how to control