Page 22

Just a precaution, Jex replied, moving to release the bands. You were a little unpredictable during the seizures.

Davis s frown deepened. He glanced down at his own body, then back to Jex, and over to Covak. What? What the fuck? These are Vorrtan straps.

A look passed between the two medics.

Your DNA contains sequences inconsistent with human genetics, Jex went for directness. Specifically, you have Latharian markers that were dormant until the M Suun weapon radiation activated them.

Davis stared, then barked a harsh laugh that held no humor. Yeah, right. Fuck off. That s impossible. I m human. My family is human.

DNA evidence suggests you have one Latharian grandparent, Jex said.

Davis shook his head, struggling to a seated position now that the restraints were removed.

My parents were human, he insisted. My grandparents, too.

What about your family history? Rann asked quietly from the doorway.

Davis s eyes narrowed. What are you saying?

Rann stepped into the room despite the hostility rolling off Davis in waves. Is there anything in your family background that might explain it?

Davis hesitated, jaw working. Then he admitted, My grandmother came back from a deep space mission pregnant. Never said who the father was.

Never? Rann pressed.

Just said once that my brother and I look like our grandfather.

The timing works, Jex said. Early human deep space exploration overlapped with the period when the M Suun appear to have been conducting their experiments.

Davis s hands curled into fists. You re saying my grandmother was what fucking experimented on? That my mother was some kind of hybrid test subject?

Davis looked away, jaw clenched tight as he turned back to Jex. So what now? I keep changing until I m not human anymore?

We ve stabilized the process, the former cyborg replied. But additional exposure to the weapon s radiation could trigger further transformation. If you run into the M Suun again, don t get shot.

And ideally, we need to find someone who understands what s happening to you, Covak added. The changes are stable, but I d like to know what the frexx is going on with your DNA.

K ell, Rann said suddenly. Everyone looked at him.

K ell? Mira asked. Who or what is that?

Who. He was the geneticist who ran the program. If anyone would understand what s happening to Davis, it would be him.

And where do we find him? she asked.

Rann s expression tightened. That s the problem. After the program was exposed, he disappeared. Went into hiding.

So he could be anywhere, she said, frustration edging her voice.

We have to start somewhere, Rann replied. The last confirmed sighting was near the Genetic Research Institute on Tariisian Prime, but that was years ago. The trail went cold after that.

Davis s expression hardened. So this K ell might know why I m affected when no one else is?

Rann nodded.

Then we need to find K ell, she said, turning to Jex. Is Davis going to be all right for now?

He s stabilized, Jex confirmed. But monitoring remains essential. Another episode without intervention could prove fatal.

Should he stay in medbay? she asked, trying to keep her voice neutral.

Davis s head snapped toward her. No.

Medbay containment would be optimal, Jex said, but Davis cut him off, swinging his legs over the side of the examination table, movements fluid despite his recent collapse.

Not happening.

Davis-

I m not staying here like some fucking lab specimen, Davis snapped, shrugging on the shirt Covak handed him. I can recover in my quarters just fine.

And if you have another episode? Jex challenged.

It s a small ship, Davis replied, standing with only a slight wobble. You ll hear me crash and burn.

No, you need someone to watch you, Covak argued. Someone who can alert us immediately if your condition changes.

Everyone turned to look at her, apart from Davis. He appeared to be memorizing the pattern on the wall.

I can watch him. Heat rose along her neck, but she kept her expression neutral.

You need rest, Covak told Davis firmly. And your vitals monitored for at least the next twelve hours.

Fine, Davis conceded, still not looking at her. But I want to be in my quarters. Not here.

Mira, look at this, Jex said, gesturing her toward a data display. Anything outside these parameters requires immediate notification.

Got it, she confirmed.

Davis stood, swaying slightly before finding his balance. Without thinking, she moved to his side, her hand steadying his arm. The contact sent a jolt of awareness through her, his skin fever-warm beneath her fingers.

Thanks for doing this. I know it s not how you planned to spend your night, he said, his voice dropping to a register only she could hear.

You re welcome.

Ready? she asked, moving closer than strictly necessary as they headed for the door. Despite his obvious tiredness, there was something different about him a new width to his shoulders, a new sharpness to his features, more controlled power in his stance.

His gaze found hers with an intensity that made her breath catch. As I ll ever be.