Xeno Sapiens Double Feature: Genetically Altered Humans

By Rena Marks

Catch up with the first two novels in the 19-book series, available together for the first time!

 

When futuristic Earth finds alien DNA and creates a new species of hybrids in hidden labs, Dr. Robyn Saraven helps the "creatures" escape. She uses her connections to establish their own city on Earth-Ground where they can learn, grow, and avoid the corruption and greed that created them.But the discovery of alien DNA pairs a prestigious research facility with our government to create new beings. Suddenly our spiritual growth is halted when mankind plays God. Like old Earth, our modern-day world is forced to deal with prejudice, corruption, and greed.

 

Or was it always there, lurking beneath the surface?

 

While Dr. Robyn loves her first charge, Steele, unconditionally, peace for their people doesn't come easy. The new beings have memories that rise to the surface, along with the unknown traits of their ancestors. All the while, Earth watches and leaks information to the press.

Unfortunately, some secrets are best left unknown.

 

* Each story in this 19-book open-ended series is unique, just as each Xeno Sapiens has varying traits that develop after being freed. We have shifters, time travelers, clones, and more! *

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rena Marks
• Release date: Mar 17, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224098088

Rena Marks

Welcome to my Worlds! Rena Marks is a bestselling author with over eighty-five novels under her belt. She combines her love of science fiction with paranormal romance because no matter what happens in real life, a happy-ever-after never disappoints. Come get lost in my worlds for a few hours!

Book preview

Chapter One

ROBYN SARAVEN. THIS WAY, please.

The stilted voice that came from the robot’s voice-box echoed. It should have phrased her name as a question to alleviate her fears of its invasive identification techniques such as facial recognition and retina scanning. But naturally, the pre-recorded words had no way of injecting emotional cues into speech. Likewise, the computer placed inside its metal skull had no way of even realizing how badly it jarred her with its toneless inflection. At least the programmers used the correct pronunciation of her name. Suh-RAY-ven. Too many times she’d heard it pronounced instead as Sara-VEN.

Scientists had been working on artificial intelligence since the dawn of computers, but it hadn’t yet come to pass. Not if you didn’t count the learning programs that mimicked other works already in existence. But that was what she did. She focused on and created computer generated personalities based on human emotions and feelings. Not learning programs, actual AI personalities. No, it wasn’t one hundred percent accurate, but she was unrivaled in her field.

And she knew it.

It was exactly why the Earth government offered her an exorbitant fee to team up with one of their sponsored laboratories, Crested Utilitarian Labs, in a mission that was so top secret they refused to give her the details. She wasn’t worried. Naturally they’d have to tell her the particulars at some point.

A contract for twenty million credits tended to make a person pretty easygoing.

She followed the robot to the sleek black car. It was equipped for land but had wheels that would retract to switch into hovering capabilities. Only peons lived on the actual ground of Earth. Personally, she preferred the real ground. Crested Utilitarian was one of the huge, vertical buildings that hosted a floating city. The floating cities contained a soft pressured floor sometimes covered in smooth grass to simulate what was called Earth-Ground.

The robot held the passenger door for her like an old-fashioned chauffeur. But instead of being impressed with the human-like characteristic, she again had the odd feeling. He turned and sat in the front seat—purely for aesthetics. Hovercars were autonomous.

Good morning. The woman already seated inside had light brown hair, chunked through with blond, knotted into a roll at the back of her head, making her neck seem elongated and elegant. Her eyes were a lighter, golden brown, framed by darker lashes. She wore a whole-colored pantsuit that signified her status on the vertical cities. Doctor.

Robyn smiled, watching the doctor smile tentatively back. Hello. I’m Robyn. You’re also employed with Crested Ute?

The doctor nodded, her slender shoulder moving up and down gracefully. Just signed my contract this morning. I’m Amanda Becker of Iota Nine. Did they give you any details? Iota Nine, an upper-crust floating city she was more than likely born to, had given her a lyrical accent.

Not a thing. I’m from Earth-Ground.

The doctor’s eyes reflected faint surprise. She probably wondered what in the world they had in common that they were both recently contracted by Crested Ute.

By day I’m a computer programmer. I’m one of the team that put our court system to use.

Surprise showed in Amanda’s eyes again. But you’re Earth bound?

By choice.

She nodded. I spent my internship on the surface. It was years ago. I should like to take another trip, see how things have changed. It was the oddest feeling, walking on the hard surface. I’d never been anywhere where the ground didn’t give.

Robyn’s attention was outside. We don’t seem to be moving up.

At her words, Amanda looked out the window where Robyn’s gaze was glued. No clouds were surrounding the car. We’re on the surface? Whatever for?

Robyn shrugged. No clue. Everyone knew Crested Ute was host to the Epsilon Five city. The actual building was the gravitation force that allowed the city to attach to its floating capabilities. Since they were picked up at the main hub, they should have moved directly north to arrive. Instead, they were driving away, across the Earth-Ground surface.

I don’t know, Amanda said. But we’re picking up speed.

Perhaps we’re taking a side-route hoverway? I’ve heard there’s a collection off the side of the largest cliff.

It just seems to make more sense to move straight up instead, Robyn murmured, her eyes glued to the distant horizon.

I agree, Amanda said, her voice breathless.

But the truth was, neither one of them had a clue as to where they were going. Unease trickled down her spine as Robyn noticed Amanda’s fists clenched on the seat next to her.

The car picked up more and more speed and suddenly flew over the edge of the cliff.

She inhaled sharply. The usual gravitation pull kicked on, settling them. But instead of zipping upward... they fell. Her stomach swooped and dropped, making her catch her breath.

We’re dropping into the ocean, Amanda said, her voice higher-pitched. What the hell?

Before they could even think to scream out, they hit the edge of the water. Right before impact, the car shifted slightly, cutting cleanly through the surface.

Utter silence filled the car’s interior. No water filled the compartment. And rather than sink, the car still drove.

Underwater capabilities, Amanda murmured. They didn’t bother to tell us.

The only part of the planet yet unexplored, Robyn said. The depths of the oceans.

They’re really serious over this top-secret business.

Apparently so.

Robyn didn’t mention the reservations she had, nor did she mention the car was probably bugged. Most people didn’t like to live in a constant state of paranoia, but in her field of work, it was necessary.

The navigation through the ocean was dim, though a giant spotlight came from the top of the car to join the headlights shining into the vast expanse of saltwater around them. Still, the car moved downward at an alarming rate.

Submarine capabilities, Amanda muttered. I imagine they’ve converted the hovercar into a submarine? I don’t feel the effects of water pressure.

We’re past a hundred feet deep. If we were going to explode, we would have by now.

The only sound in the compartment of the car was that of their rapid breathing.

Amanda began pressing the emergency button—which only dialed the autobot in the front seat. Where are we going? Is this safe?

Please sit back and enjoy the ride, the computer voice answered. We shall arrive in forty-five minutes.

What? That didn’t even answer my questions, she snapped into the intercom.

Please sit back and enjoy the ride, the autobot answered again. We shall arrive in forty-five minutes.

It’s programmed with one response, Robyn said softly. Asking other questions will just result in the same answer.

I don’t like the non-transparency, Amanda said.

Both women were quiet. Robyn was sure Amanda was thinking the same thing she was. They’d signed away transparency for the high salary.

The hovercar continued to glide through the water so quietly it seemed they were still. Through the windows, various unfamiliar fish swam by, some of which looked like prehistoric creatures living within these depths. The thick, dark water rolled by endlessly, their only light to focus on was that of the headlights cutting through the ink of darkness. Once in a while, a mesmerizing pool of fish moved along.

Up ahead was a faint glow of light. Both watched, captivated as it grew brighter with their approach. In the center, a giant building set up with the wall of sea water rolling up and over it. A tube-like tunnel was positioned at a sixty-degree angle, seeming to hold the vast amount of sea water away from the building. The car moved into the tunnel, which remained incongruously dry. It switched back into its hovering capabilities and travelled the length of the tunnel.  When it came through the other side, it hovered down to the man-made ground and drove over to the building.

What the hell is this? And what keeps the water out? Amanda asked.

I imagine it’s the same concept as a floating city. They’ve discovered some filter that keeps us from drowning. Perhaps it works with the salt content of the water? I don’t know.

They were both quiet again as the car rolled up the lawns of the building. Upon closer inspection, the building appeared to be made of thick glass, with massive double doors made from some type of metal.

The doors opened and a group of four men in white lab coats stepped out.

Only then did the car turn off.

The robotic chauffeur opened his car door, came around to the back, and opened theirs. It was completely dry outside the car, which must have meant the tunneled chute was some kind of vacuum.

Welcome, Drs. Becker and Saraven, to our humble abode. His voice was anything but humble as the man who spoke waved his arm about the premises. Apologies for the unusual way of transport, but we do think you’ll understand our need for secrecy.

The one who spoke stood slightly apart from the other men. He was tall, well over six feet. His midsection was rounded, protruding beyond his coat. His eyes were deep set in his puffy, pale, pink-white face, and his hair was a mixture of silver and white. Not a single female was in sight, besides her and Amanda.

What is this place? Robyn asked.

The scientist smiled. First, let me introduce myself. My name is Director Thomas Meade, and I am lead scientist of the GAH program. These are my colleagues. Roman Sabin, Nicolai Baratov, Huy Chen.

Good evening, Amanda said. Robyn echoed her sentiment, adding a quick nod of her head.

The robot behind them was busy removing their personal items from the luggage stow.

What will we be doing here? Amanda asked. It appears you have a team of scientists and doctors. Why do you need two more?

We’ve hit a brick wall, and you’re the best of the best in your fields. The scientist inhaled deeply, puffing out his chest to stand tall. He peered at them out of his beady eyes. Dr. Amanda Becker, Doctor of Genetics, on the cutting edge of genetic splicing, and neurosurgeon, with a degree in psychiatry. Fascinating! Such a combination. He turned to Robyn.

Robyn Saraven, creator of the Earth Judgment Court of Law, the first computer program that is self-repairing. Imagine that. A computer program that can debug itself. You have put us on the cutting edge of true artificial intelligence, earning a doctorate yourself, though you’re so humble you barely use it. And even more spectacular is that—like Dr. Becker—you’re a jack of all trades. His voice turned sly, and his piggish eyes gleamed. The pit of Robyn’s stomach turned over as she felt what he was going to say more than she knew what he was going to reveal. "Welcome to our humble abode... Eve."

Robyn inhaled so sharply she felt her nostrils constrict. No one was aware of her alter ego.

No one.

Dr. Becker’s mouth fell open. You’re Eve?

Robyn gave one short nod. As the infamous internet hacker, she’d accomplished more than the world’s best hackers—all during her teenage years. Her record had been expunged when she’d been offered the job of creating the planet’s court system.

And for some reason, this company had been privy to her best held secret. They were more than being supported by the Global Government. They had access to the top levels.

I am more than pleased to make the acquaintance of both of you, Director Meade said. And so excited to have you on my team. Now, let’s move forward and discover our own deeply held secrets, shall we?

He motioned for them to follow, leading them past the hoverway and up a sidewalk to the laboratory. The chute—large enough for the car—was the only landmark. It separated the air they breathed from the depths of the oceans by which they came. She’d assume more of the thick, enforced glass material sealed the entire length of their small lab and kept the bubble of oxygen stable around them.

Using a keycard from his front pocket, he slid it through the double doors. Robyn glanced quickly at the movement. Laser reading, the easiest to hack. Not that she was planning it, but it always helped to be aware of one’s surroundings at all times. It was natural with her, as inborn as breathing.

The keycard unlocked a giant steel door reminiscent of a security safe. When the door swung open, its dimensions were nearly a foot thick. She saw Amanda notice the thickness of the door also.

Director Meade caught her gaze. A security feature, he said. Our systems will never fail, but should something unexpected happen, the laboratory itself is capable of becoming an additional fortress against the ocean walls. The glass walls aren’t actually glass. His round face looked excited to share with them the secrets of the underground laboratory. It is a material we discovered in the lost city of Atlantis. We amended it to use with the polymer of the nine floating cities, making it lightweight but adding immeasurable strength. And of course, the added benefit of it being as clear as glass. We can see any outside threats, whether they be a rush of water or a yet undiscovered underwater creature. It’s amazing that with all our advances, the depths of the oceans are the most unexplored region of our planet. There are some creatures at this level that date back to prehistoric days! Sea creatures we thought long extinct.

The vastness of the lobby struck her first. White marble floors and twenty-foot-high ceilings gave it a spacious feel. Around the lobby of the laboratories were various preserved displays of ocean life they’d captured and explored. Images of the inner bodies sliced up and proudly splayed out as if they’d invented the sea animals.

Just beyond the lobby was a huge, round room with sliding doors like an elevator on either side.

Clearing both doors, Dr. Meade pressed the button for the first level. They were barely aware of being lowered. As soon as the doors opened, they entered the actual laboratory, the hallways narrowing and becoming darker with the dimmer lighting. He led them into a central area with a huge viewing window.

Amanda stepped up to the glass first, and gasped.

Chapter Two

YOU HAVE GOT TO BE kidding me.

By the look on Amanda Becker’s face, Robyn was more than positive what she was looking at was indeed real. She continued to peer down at the horrifying display of unconscious bodies lining the walls below them.

Naked. Nothing protected their modesty or hinted that they were people.

The walls had slight indentations, recessed about eighteen inches, in which the bodies resided. Straps held them upright, one across the forehead, one over the shoulders, one at the chest, the waist, each wrist, each upper thigh, and each ankle. Their eyes were taped shut, and tubes came from the vicinity of their stomach and chest.

None of them have consciousness, Director Meade droned. They are simply created shells. Which is why we need the two of you. Do you remember the lost city of Atlantis? The legend of the Bermuda Triangle? Before the Earthquakes of the twenty-fourth century, the then-governments uncovered actual proof of their existence. They were no longer just rumors. We discovered the Bermuda Triangle was a keyhole into another dimension that people were sometimes lost in over the years—and from both dimensional fields. But for as many humans that disappeared, which we now know went out the portal, other beings came in. Before it was sealed on the other end, countless extraterrestrials came through and made their new home in Atlantis. You already know about the existence of Atlantis. But what isn’t disclosed is what was discovered there when the remains were uncovered. Amid the proof of the lost city were decomposed bodies of various alien life forms—that of those ancient beings who had crossed the keyhole entry. Stuck there, they constructed their own city called Atlantis. They brought information from their planets and technology in the form of what was on their body when they were stranded. The tissue samples of these beings were freeze-dried, and locked in storage. Fast forward to our century, when the various governments of the planet have now merged into one, our own Global Government. The DNA was uncovered in secret files, and by utilizing it, we created these genetically modified beings. He paused for effect, but Robyn was entranced with staring at the creatures held in cubicles within the walls.

The individuals varied in colors, and all humanoid in shape due to their human genes. But the alien portion of their anatomy was readily apparent. In addition to the skin color, some had scales. Others had striations of skin color—still, others had actual ridges and bumpy plates beneath their skin.

We call the project GAH, Genetically Altered Humans. Specifically, they are Xeno Sapiens, using both human and alien DNA. If we can successfully waken these beings, our next project will be to merge more than just human DNA. We can make some aquatic, adding gills, flippers, fins from fish. Hence the collection in the lobby. Others may be winged by using avian DNA. The possibilities are endless, and we are quite excited to do more exploration. Unfortunately, we’ve been unsuccessful thus far. Which is why we need you, ladies. This time, in addition to brain matter, we’ve inserted a tiny computer into the hindbrain, near the medulla. The computer will act as a jump start for the organic brain, and naturally will make computing faster, yet they will retain normal human feelings and emotions. While not exactly cyborg technology, they will benefit from the best of both worlds.

Robyn held her tongue. If a computer was able to jumpstart the brain, it could also be used to control and shut down the brain, which is why cyborg genetics were so controversial and not yet in use. They were purposely not sharing that information. And the thought of experimenting with mixing animal DNA into humans turned her stomach even more than the scientist in her was titillated by the discovery of otherworldly beings.

Without brain waves, they’re simply bodies. Organ farms, Amanda whispered to her.

Robyn blanked her facial features. Apparently, she had an expression of disgust written across her face, since that was exactly what she was feeling.

I was wondering if they were in pain, she said.

They shouldn’t be feeling any pain, Amanda said.

Director Meade continued on. Of course not. Without active brain waves, they don’t feel a thing. Don’t worry, you can get up close and personal as soon as you’re ready. I can only imagine how much you’re both itching to jump right in. I will show you how to use the decontamination unit so no bacteria is introduced into the exploratory lab. I’ll also show you where you’ll be staying.

Amanda appeared fascinated by the concept of the methods used to modify the Xeno Sapiens. Robyn figured she’d probably find it fascinating, also, if she could get past the thought that they actually wanted to bring these beings to life. What in the world would cause them to not have life in the first place? They had a brain. Why would a computer be necessary, like a battery hook up? Had they created the first round already? If so, where were they, and were they successful or not?

Director Meade finished up explaining the decontamination techniques, which she barely paid attention to because she was more than aware of decontamination chambers. Hell, she’d been involved in the construction of more than one or two.

Allow me to show you to your chambers, Meade said gallantly. Your bags have already been brought there. And as soon as you want, you can jump into work here. Your six-month contract will fly by.

I’d love to delve in. Amanda’s eyes were shining with anticipation.

I knew this would be an exciting partnership, he said, smiling smoothly. He led them back out to the giant, round room with sliding doors on either side. This is actually a sub-elevator, he said, as if proud of himself. This first level consists of the experimental laboratory, but it is below our surface. The main level is the lobby you entered. Our living quarters are on the third level, and our own human wellness area consists of the entire second floor. Exercise quarters, light exposure therapy, etc.

Robyn wondered how much time away from the above ground before they all went crazy from lack of fresh air and sunlight. That could be why they worked in six-month stints.

He pushed the button for the third level. Robyn glanced quickly at the control panel. There was a button for an additional floor that was locked. She made a mental note to find out why.

Down the hallway of the third level were various small apartments. We currently have two wings of a dozen rooms. At this moment, you are the only females, so it will just be the two of you on this wing.

He stopped at one of the doors. This is your room, Dr. Becker.

Please, call me Amanda, she murmured.

Amanda, he said gallantly, releasing a control panel on the wall to show a palm imprint screen for locks. He used his key card to swipe the lock and then took an image of her palm and locked the image in. Robyn will be across the hall from you, he said. Feel free to take the elevator anywhere you wish to explore or head back down to the Xeno Sapien unit.

Thank you. I’ll just unpack and freshen up a bit, she said. Robyn, I’ll see you downstairs later?

Robyn nodded, smiling brightly to simulate the same excitement the other two showed.

Amanda closed her door and Director Meade turned to the door across the hall. He released the control panel on her door lock also.

I chose to get you settled last to point out a somewhat delicate issue, he said.

Alarm prickled down Robyn’s spine like the slow drip of an icy liquid down her naked skin. She fought the urge to shiver it away and instead remained perfectly composed as she modulated her breathing.

Of course, we appreciate your computer programming skills. You have proven yourself to be the best in the world. But we also value your other persona in the fact that Eve has—shall we say special access—to sensitive materials? It would make this project much smoother and faster to have access to research already accomplished around the world so we’re not repeating trials and errors that have already been done. For that aspect, we’ve brought in the latest top of the line equipment for your use, and while you may know more of the matter than we do, we believe it’s completely untraceable to this location—or to the Global Government.

He was informing her, in no uncertain terms, that her computer hacking would be more than welcome here. She kept her expression perfectly neutral. All her years of schooling, all the awards she’d won, all the advances she’d made for mankind—he was interested in her hacking skills from high school.

She pressed her palm down on the scanner. She smiled as brightly as Amanda had. Thank you, Director Meade. I’m more than excited to explore my brand-new computer. I’ll certainly make sure it’s secure. I would never allow anything to get traced here.

His smile faltered briefly. Then his small eyes dropped briefly on her form. I knew we’d see things eye to eye.

The same prickle of alarm reignited down her back. Her door unlocked with a ping. She took a step inside. Thanks again!

He opened his mouth to speak, but she cut him off. I’m so excited! I’ll take a quick peek at the computer and head down to the lab.

She closed the door on him, like an overly bubbly teenage hacker that he’d requested. But as soon as the door shut, her persona changed. Her eyes narrowed and her walk was stealthy.

Instead of a small motel room, the place was an interior suite. There was a food replicator in the kitchenette and a few plates in the cupboard. A sofa sat in the living area. Next to the sofa sat a desk topped with a shiny, top-of-the-line new computer. Each room in the suite had a simulated window, which she assumed would emit a certain percentage of UV rays for additional light therapy. A bedroom and separate cleansing unit were set up in the back of the suite.

The first thing she did was ignore the bags already placed in the bedroom. She headed for the computer, switching it on. While she waited for it to fire up, she adjusted the position of the desk to aim away from the lights in the ceiling and from the simulated window. Cameras could be hidden in both electrical places to view her keystroke placement, though she was more than sure the computer itself had a mechanism in place to spy.

The machine active, she looked into the strategic places to see if keystrokes were recorded. Bingo, enclosed was an intricately inlaid application. She deleted it. She searched other places and found one other, probably a backup. Hacking 101. After deleting the second, she got to work with a simple method of scrambling the keyboard so none of her keystrokes would be traced. No one ever thought to check an external device like a keyboard. Taking her fingernail, she inlaid the keyboard with the smallest scratch in the shiny plastic. The scratch would be easily felt with the pad of her pinky—and would allow her to quickly identify the keyboard as the original one she’d scrambled. It would take her typed commands a bit longer to maneuver through items, but thankfully they’d gotten her the fastest model available, and speed shouldn’t be much of an issue.

Once online, she quickly searched the blueprint documents of the laboratory, splaying out the plans for each room. Just as she’d thought, there was a camera placed in the light fixture of the living quarters and one placed in both windows. She scrambled the instructions for the window codes for both her and Amanda’s apartments. The programmers would be led to believe they had unwittingly enabled the cameras to become active only when the windows were in use. They could only record Amanda should she have the windows turned on. If Robyn ever visited her, she would squint to pretend she had a headache, which would make Amanda turn off the simulator. The overhead light’s camera, she couldn’t do anything about without raising suspicion. She’d just have to be aware her movements were watched and avoid direct contact. At least now that she’d rearranged the computer desk, they couldn’t see the front of the 3D image of the computer’s hologram, nor the keypad. Next, she quickly opened the computer unit and searched inside for physical devices. The tiniest transmitter lay inside. Not caring that they saw her remove it, she had to assume they placed it there for her to find and ease her mind that she’d uncovered the device, perhaps ignoring any other venues she’d uncovered.

Idiots.

It took her about an hour to clean the computer and then delve into searching their files. What she found boggled her mind.

Director Meade threw out the term Global Government often enough that she was sure Crested Labs was privately funded and he was trying to scare her with his power. But what she found terrified her. The government was funding the GAH project. Genetically Altered Humans. Phase one contained fifty beings, all enhanced with alien DNA. Phase two would contain an additional fifty beings—this time enhanced with animal in addition to their