Hybrid

By Luana Pallini

In the heart of the Karoo, under the shelter of the Karee mountains lies the Wavetech Research Centre, heavily armed and shrouded in mystery. With only a dirt road separating the Centre and Gus Fraser’s farm, Wavetech is eager to buy the land.

Still reeling from the fallout of the fraud allegations at his place of work and forced to resign as Financial Director of an International Bank in Australia, Gus visits his inherited farm in South Africa, determined to accept the offer from Wavetech. To his astonishment, the farm staff caution him against it, citing a local legend that Wavetech is responsible for the disappearance of hundreds of people.

Plagued with uncertainty and desperate to make a decision, Gus chooses an early morning ride to clear his head, but serendipitously stumbles onto the body of a young woman, badly injured and in need of urgent attention. Uncharacteristically, Gus overwhelmed with a need to protect the woman, takes her back to his farmhouse, but he is to discover that she and her unusually large black cat come with secrets and extraordinary powers. Secrets linked to Wavetech and mystical powers that are undeniable, especially when gazing upon the identical mesmerising turquoise eyes shared by woman and cat.

Forty-eight hours later Gus is unexpectedly thrown into a race for survival which will change his life forever and force him to go on the run, with Wavetech’s private army in pursuit.

About the Author

Luana Pallini has written hundreds of educational manuals and developed learning material for qualifications and industry entry level exams. However, her passion for ancient cultures, history and unexplained phenomena led her to travel the world and this has fuelled her desire to write fiction.

Luana lives in Johannesburg and runs a private college.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Luana Pallini
• Release date: Jun 9, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005874346

Book preview

Hybrid

Luana Pallini

Copyright © 2021 Luana Pallini

Published by Luana Pallini Publishing at Smashwords

First edition 2021

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any information storage or retrieval system without permission from the copyright holder.

The Author has made every effort to trace and acknowledge sources/resources/individuals. In the event that any images/information have been incorrectly attributed or credited, the Author will be pleased to rectify these omissions at the earliest opportunity.

Published by Luana Pallini using Reach Publishers’ services,

P O Box 1384, Wandsbeck, South Africa, 3631

Edited by Bronwen Bickerton for Reach Publishers

Cover designed by Reach Publishers

Website: www.reachpublishers.org

E-mail: [e-mail]

Luana Pallini

[e-mail]

Day 1

The Karoo -South Africa

Sunrise was approaching. The African sky was an array of colours as the morning sun peaked over the horizon like a glistening ball of burnt orange. The Karoo was still, the air fresh and clean. She sat on a haphazard pile of rocks and gazed out at the vast arid plains, the odd vegetation and the strange shadows. She had never experienced this dry earth or the light that was emerging over the horizon, or the clumps of bushes strewn across the dry baked sand and the dark unreachable corners of the desert which were slowly revealing their secrets.

The early morning breeze was cold as it fluttered across her face, ruffling her black fur. She liked that, this was her most favourite experience thus far. She had never felt the wind on her face or smelt this dry earth or the strange pungent smells that drifted off the clumps of bushes. The sounds around her were beautiful. There was a soft whistling coming from the breeze as it raced across the desert. In the distance she could hear a soft metallic grinding sound. She was sure it was coming from those huge machines staring up at the sky that she had raced around earlier this morning. She stared out into the nothingness and tilted her head towards the east, pricking her ears. She could hear a dull, continuous thumping far off. This sound was different. This was the sound of something moving rhythmically over the dry and scorched land. She was curious to discover its source.

She looked at the woman lying injured and unconscious, relieved to have found her. She had worried that she would not be able to track her in this strange and new environment even with the confidence of knowing their special connection. They had been designed to protect each other, but she had never been called upon to do so until this very moment. It was with a sense of trepidation therefore, that she had raced in the dark for many kilometres to find her, surrounded by those huge machines.

Powerful muscles propelled the creature as she jumped off the rocks and gracefully pranced over to her sister. She leaned in close and could hear the soft sound of her twin breathing. She licked her face, willing her to open her eyes, but her twin lay very still. She nudged her with her nose, but still there was no response.

Nuzzling up close to the woman’s face, the creature thought how things had become very strange in the past four hours. What had once been a given was now reversed. The surface of this planet was not contaminated. She had not died from exposure to toxic fumes as she had been told her entire life. Everything she knew had been turned on its head and there was only one thing she was sure of – the people she had trusted and regarded as her ‘people’ had lied to her all her life!

She looked down at her sister again. In the mayhem during the escape they had agreed to meet out here, but she had not expected to find her sister in this state. On leaving what had once been their sanctuary, she had tracked her sibling into this strange land and had found her in urgent need of help and that was what she needed to do – find help.

She leapt back onto the rocks and was once again overwhelmed by this extraordinary new environment with all its different shades and smells. She sat very still, smelled the air and unexpectedly scrunched her nose. She picked up a scent that made the hairs in her nose tickle. She knew that smell and despised it. She had spent many hours training and battling that hideous creature, but it was no match for her, she was far too agile and … far more intelligent. She listened with more intensity and made out the rhythmic sound of two creatures thumping on the hard earth as they ran in unison. She smiled. She had a plan.

She took one last look at her injured sister and leapt off the rocks. With long beautiful strides, she ran in the direction of the thumping noise and that unpleasant smell.

The cold wind burnt his face and made his eyes water as he rode hard and fast across the desert. His horse was a beautiful brown stallion, a little past its prime, but still powerful. Its mane flew in the wind as man and horse became one. It was hard going in this early morning light. The sun was only beginning to peak over the horizon, but Gus felt exhilarated. He had awakened in the early hours of the morning tormented by nightmares, never had decisions weighed so heavily on him. Needing to get out and clear his head he had gone out to the stable and saddled his stallion. Riding hard and letting the stallion lead, Gus now looked down at the farm dog which was racing alongside them. Gus smiled. The dog was a young Boerbull, strong and eager a nd it loved running side by side with the stallion.

At only thirty-seven, Gus felt washed out and empty. The past four months had been particularly trying and his stress levels had never been higher. He would never have imagined that his life would have taken such a drastic turn.

In the soft light of dawn, he surveyed this odd land. The Karoo was a far cry from his home in Melbourne. In fact this lifestyle was the polar opposite of the life he had in Australia. His heart constricted with pain as he thought about the circumstances which had led him here. Building a successful career and amassing a huge fortune had been his goal, it had taken a tragedy for him to realise that it had all meant nothing, because his financial and personal success had been at the expense of family and friends.

Four months ago, his career as the financial director of an international bank had ended abruptly and he was still reeling from the fallout. Life had been fast paced and hectic, wheedling power in boardrooms and bedrooms alike. Deals were made without thinking of the impact on people and women were enjoyed and discarded just as quickly. He felt that uncomfortable pit starting up in his stomach which happened whenever he thought about how he had treated his fellow human beings. He had always tried to rationalise it, blaming Melany for what he had become, but the truth, he knew, had always been him. He had loved Melany and had wanted a family, with lots of children, but his ambition and love of the job had always come first and ultimately had driven her away. It was nearly ten years now since he had returned home to find she had left him. He had blamed her for their break-up and even for the manner in which he had treated women thereafter. Today, the pit in his stomach was the guilt he now felt, because he knew the blame for the relationship ending and the women whose hearts he had broken since then sat squarely on his shoulders.

The biggest guilt he felt, however, was over his parents. At the thought of them a terrible sadness engulfed him. Just five months ago, they had asked him to join them on a trip to the Great Barrier Reef. His mother had begged him to make this a family holiday since they had not spent time with him in over a year, but Gus had declined because he had too much work. Truth be told, he had arranged a clandestine get away with an Australian actress who in turn was cheating on her husband. Guilt almost made him vomit as he remembered the conversation. Sorry Mom, I have a meeting in Perth next week Friday and then I’m flying to Singapore on Sunday to meet with some investors. I really can’t cancel. But I promise I will make it up to you both at Christmas.

Destiny had other plans, and he never saw or spoke to his parents again. The pain and mostly guilt consumed him daily. Had he been with his parents, the accident would have been averted because he would have been the one driving. Instead, his dad had a massive stroke while at the wheel and his parents had crashed into a tree killing them both instantly. Gus could not forgive himself and now after the loss of his career, the guilt was even more consuming. He felt utterly alone. He had nothing! How fast the mighty can fall, he thought. He had thought he was invincible and that his celebrity lifestyle would go on forever. He knew better now.

Shortly after the death of his parents, the bank had been involved in a terrible fraud scandal and hundreds of employees had been fired and others retrenched. He had been so involved in his ‘superstar’ life that he had not taken notice of the fraud happening right under his nose, and although not implicated in the fraud, he was held responsible for the actions of his employees. Colleagues and clients looked at him sceptically, not believing that he had not been part of it and so with not much choice he had resigned. He knew that had he not done so, the bank would have asked him to leave.

It was at this cross-road period in his life that he received communication from his trust lawyers about an offer on the land his grandmother had left him in South Africa. The disappointment of knowing that everything he had worked so hard for, his reputation and the sacrifices he had made, had ended this way, drove him to hide out for a while in South Africa.

He had closed his townhouse in Melbourne and left sufficient funds with his lawyer to manage his affairs. Now, at the age of 37, he could at least look back and be grateful of the fact that over the years he had amassed a large fortune. He owned and rented out many properties which were managed by his agent. He had a number of bank accounts in offshore tax haven countries which allowed him access to his money wherever he was in the world. With his personal effects sorted, he had bought a ticket to South Africa and to his farm here in the Karoo.

The change in the pace of life from Melbourne’s financial sector to this little quiet sleepy farm had at first been unbearable for Gus, but with each passing day he was enjoying the quietness and the relaxed atmosphere. He was starting to question what he had loved about his previous lifestyle. It was all so superficial and ultimately lonely. He felt the need to put down roots and become the man his father had always said he was. The events of the past four months were making him think about whether he should hold onto this land and make this his home.

He closed his eyes and leaned further forward onto the stallion, his head close to the animal’s ear. He rode that way for a long while, allowing the horse to lead. It was only when he heard the dog barking furiously that he jolted upright and back to reality. He pulled on the horse’s reins and saw that the dog was already a few hundred meters ahead and to the right of them. Its barking was insistent and ferocious, so Gus nudged the horse to follow the dog.

The sun had risen now and light was spreading across the Karoo. Gus could see the dog was chasing something small and black. Stupid dog, chasing rabbits. Gus was about to pull on the leather and turn back, when the dog stopped dead in its tracks, looked down at something and whined softly.

Gus slackened the reins on the stallion and forced the animal to a trot and then moved cautiously closer to the dog. He inhaled sharply and immediately jumped off the horse. The dog was standing over a body, licking its face. He ran to the body but his focus was on the pool of blood soaking into the ground. He bent down and turned the body over, shooing the dog away. It was a young girl. She was unconscious, but she was still alive. The man within Gus could not help noticing how breathtakingly beautiful the girl was. She had long blonde hair and beautifully shaped long limbs. Her body was toned and her lips were full and pink. Gus, he said to himself, get a grip, she’s only a child. Physically shaking himself, he leaned forward and felt for broken bones. There were none. She had a deep gash on her forehead – hence the enormous pool of blood, and she also had a whopper of a bump on top of her head.

Gus stood, looking around for signs of where she had come from. There was nothing. No man made or animal tracks. He was staring out into the dawn looking for signs when he saw the animal. She was sitting on a pile of rocks staring at him. The dog focused on his owner’s gaze but before he could take off to chase after it, Gus grabbed his collar and shouted, Stay boy!

Gus stared at the animal. It was a cat, but there was something compelling about this cat. It was a magnificent specimen, much larger than a domestic cat and approximately the size of a large Bobcat. Its fur was raven black, short and shining and the eyes were an unbelievable, magnificent, unique shade of turquoise. The animal was muscular and strong, like a panther, and to Gus it seemed that it was smiling at him.

He was transfixed, unable to take his eyes off the creature. It was only when the Boerbull barked loudly that he broke the stare and turned back to the girl. He checked her neck to ensure that there was no damage and hoped he would not cause any further injury when he lifted her onto the horse. He needed to stop the bleeding first, and with nothing at hand he took off his T-shirt and wrapped it around her head. It was not great but it should do the job. With that done, he lifted the young girl then he climbed up and pulling the girl up close to him on the horse, strapped her to him with his belt. This way he could hold her head and stop it from bobbing around.

He nudged the horse and as the stallion began to walk, Gus once again looked around. Where has she come from? What is she doing on my farm and what has happened to her? He had far more questions than answers and knew he would not get any until he got the girl to the farm and a doctor to take care of her wounds.

He rode back to the farm house slowly, the dog at the horse’s side. Every so often Gus caught a glimpse of the black feline tracking them and found it strange that the dog now seemed oblivious to the cat. The sun was beating down on them and sweat was dripping down Gus’s back. He wanted to ride harder to get the girl the help she needed but he was afraid that the harder ride would cause her more injury. So he rode at a conservative pace, trying to protect her head. Forty five minutes later Gus finally caught sight of the old windmill which stood at the entrance to his farm house and had become, for Gus, the symbol of his new home. The old windmill creaked as it moved lethargically in the light breeze, making a grunting and grinding sound, yet the sight of it made Gus smile.

Looking out to the house he caught sight of his foreman and even before he reached the gate he was calling out to Vusi to get help and to get the house maids. Vusi ran out to meet him and immediately took the girl into his arms, carrying her into the house. Jumping off the horse, Gus called after Vusi, Place her on my bed, then he ran into the house straight into the head maid.

Fransina, call the doctor and tell him to come immediately!

He turned his attention to a younger maid. Amy, get lots of ice and a clean towel, hurry! and ran on following Vusi into the bedroom. Vusi had placed the girl on the bed and was drawing the curtains to keep the room cool and dark.

"Moet ek …. ride to get the doctor Mr Gus?"

Vusi was a clever man and highly motivated. As a young man Vusi had not been shy to acknowledge that he had skills and that he was a natural born businessman. Leaving his small town and his family behind, he had travelled to Bloemfontein and after much hard work had been accepted into a business management learnership programme. On the conclusion of the learnership (as with many learnerships in South Africa) he was told that there was no permanent position for him, so after months of not being able to find any other form of employment, he returned home. His determination and intelligence would not let him be defeated and when he heard that the Fraser Farm was looking for a farm manager and foreman, he had immediately applied and been appointed. He had run the farm for the past 12 years and was proud of the work he did.

English was his only stumbling block, and it often made him come across as unintelligent and simple, but Gus had very quickly realised that this man was a special individual. He had managed, built and grown this farm on his own. Gus was more than grateful.

Over the past few weeks the two men had got to know one another and respect each other. Gus had even begun to understand the strange English/Afrikaans mixed language. So when Vusi had said, ‘ride’, Gus understood he meant drive.

Fransina is trying to contact him, and besides it will take you at least two hours to get to Carnarvon. We need to wait for him, he said, then added, Thanks Vusi, please just tend to the horse.

As Vusi left, Amy ran in with the ice and clean towels. Gus thanked her. First he removed the blood-soaked T-shirt from around the girl’s head, then he poured the ice into the clean towel, rolled it and placed it on her head. He looked at Amy and said, Please sit here and keep the ice on her head. He was glad to see that the bleeding had finally stopped.

A moment later Fransina ran into the room. "Doc is operating … mos, dit was … an emergency. Ek het … a message for him ge-leave to come urgently. Gus looked up at the plump, short middle-aged woman and thanked her. This fusion language was mind boggling, but he somehow always got the gist of what they were saying. Can you get me cold water for her," he said, looking at the girl lying motionless on the bed.

No water Mr Gus, said Fransina in her heavily accented English, "as sy `n … concussion … het, it will make her vomit. I thinks we just must wet her lips with the ice."

Gus stood and gestured for her to do so.

The two maids fussed over the girl for a while. They cleaned the wound and her face, all the time keeping the ice on her head. Then Fransina said, "Mr Gus, dis al ons kan … do for her. Ons moet …..wait for the doc."

Gus nodded, thanked them, and gestured for them to leave. He walked over to the window and peered out, conscious not to let too much light into the room. He kept trying to figure out where she had come from. The farm was situated 72 kilometres south of the small Karoo town of Carnarvon. The farm was 5255 ha of inland basin in the heart of the Karoo, surrounded by the famous flat topped koppies of the Karee Mountains. To the west and slightly north of the farm was the town of Williston which was 70 kilometres away and to the east was Loxton which was 67 kilometres away. He had found the woman at least four kilometres inside the nearest farm fence. On the other side of his fence was a service road and beyond that one square kilometre of radio telescopes, belonging to a company called Wavetech. He was aware of the company because they had made the offer on his land. The only structure was the outbuildings at the base of the Karee Mountains and the company signs along their fence indicated that this was their scientific research centre. Other than that, the only thing Gus knew about the company was its name and the fact that the locals wanted them gone. Vusi had told him that the locals believed there were strange things happening there. When Gus had pressed him about what kind of strange things, he had shrugged his shoulders and said, "Just urban legends Meneer, dis nix."

Gus had noticed a few comings and goings while out on his morning horse rides, but besides the guards posted at the perimeter of the building and the main gates, there didn’t seem to be much happening. He turned to look at the girl and thought that perhaps it was possible she had come from there, although she could not have gotten onto his farm on foot, and certainly not with that head injury! She moaned softly, so he walked over to the bedside. He heard himself inhale sharply. She was stunning … and … very tall. He guessed she was almost as tall as he was at 6 feet 1 inch or just under. Her limbs and bones were very slender and if he had to guess she probably weighed 40 kilogrammes. Normally such a thin person with that height would look anorexic, but she looked fit, toned and healthy. Taking his time now to look at her, he realised that she was not a young girl as he had originally thought, but a young woman. If he had to guess, she was probably around 20 years old.

She fell into a quiet stillness again and Gus returned to the window. He looked out into the hot morning sun and drew a startled breath. The dog was stretched out under the oak tree, licking himself and the cat was sitting right beside it, staring at the dog. The dog seemed completely oblivious to the presence of that magnificent creature. After just a moment the cat turned and looked straight into Gus’s eyes. Gus was physically shaken and in a moment of confusion dropped the curtain and moved away from the window. What is it with that cat? he thought, It’s starting to freak me out. Gus looked at his watch. It had only been 15 minutes since he had returned to the farm.

He was suddenly awake.

His heart was pounding loudly in his ears and he could feel Gem’s anxiety. He felt her pain and fear and the sensation was so overwhelming that his eyes filled with tears. He sat up in bed suppressing the tears and forced himself to breathe slowly until his heart rate returned to normal. Only then did he kick off the blanket and reach down for his slippers. The room was spartan, with only a side table and small closet. Everything around him was clinically white, and devoid of personality. He took no notice of this, as this had been his room since childbirth. He stood and walked over to the small bathroom. He leaned against the sink and looked at himself in the mirror, but he did not see himself. In his mind he had conjured up the image of Gem. He could tell she was not in immediate danger but there was something odd. He could almost feel the different atmosphere, the lightness of the air she was breathing, the softness of the wind on her face and he knew she was not in the compound. He was overwhelmed by her emotions, for she seemed to be all over the place. There was fear, but also wonderment. There was anxiety but also excitement.

How was it possible that she was outside? It made no sense, but more importantly, if she was outside, surely, she was in danger. He breathed in deeply again and closed his eyes. He waited for his heartbeat to return to normal and thought, I’ll know as soon as I get to the gym.

It was early but he showered and dressed. Shortly it would be time to go to the gym and start