Edema Rue
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Alia laughed lightly. “That too.” “Maybe…uh…push the water? Like, with your hands?”
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“Not much. And not often. But it’s definitely an advantage.”
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Aria nodded. “That’s why I’m here. And…I have a talent that could help. A sort of second Sight. I get flashes of things to come, images, sometimes a phrase or two. That’s how I knew to come here in the first place.”
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Aria laughed softly. Can’t get away from a team, even in a place between worlds…I’m lucky. “Thanks. You’re welcome to, but…this place is huge. I barely know where to start, and if he’s exited into another world, it’ll be almost impossible.”
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“That’s how the labs function,” Aria said quietly. “When they find something that works, they take children, mass produce the attribute, sell it. I don’t know why he’d create soldiers, unless he knew about all this.” She shook her head. “But never mind. That’s my problem.”
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“No, it…I don’t work for anyone,” Aria said. “But it might put you in danger. He’s a killer. More machine than human. If he succeeds, then he’ll be the first of a new product, one that will ruin our world and, apparently, spread to others. He’s to efficient to kill people who don’t matter, but if you know about him, he won’t have a problem destroying you.”
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Aria pursed her lips. How much should they know? He wouldn’t kill them, probably, unless they knew. Maybe he’d kill them anyway. “It’s weird to have to explain. I’m following someone, someone who works for one of the…labs.”
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Aria laughed. “Nope. I’m part of the problem, not some solution. I’m here to keep the problem from spreading.”
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“Maybe. But there’s nothing anyone can do about it. A lot of girls are born sterile, and a lot of people have made the choice not to bring children into a world with so much hurt. Eventually, the labs will wither and die. All that’ll be left is the nomads and a tired planet. Maybe they’ll be able to fix it. Or maybe they’ll escape it.” “Yeah,” Aria said softly. “Most of us, anyway.”
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“No one really keeps track,” Aria said thoughtfully. “There are a scattering of labs and…similar places. Lots of nomads that pass through different buildings. Families, but that doesn’t mean blood connection as much as it does alliances. No one likes to talk about it, but we’re a dying people.”
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Aria looked distinctly uncomfortable, focusing intently on the platypus. She wondered if it could be trained. Aria didn’t look away from the platypus, but her eyes widened and she whistled softly.
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“Of course,” Aria muttered, standing. This all threw her off balance, but if he was here, he’d be having the same problems. She’d need to find him quickly, before he adjusted…and before he hurt someone innocent.
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Aria squatted down, extending a pencil and poking it experimentally. “It’s not…like…a person, is it?”
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“Yeah…” She backed up as the platypus got closer. “Do you have any idea what this thing is?”
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“Wolves went extinct a long time ago,” Aria mused. “We have…something similar, an attempt to bring them back, but I don’t think they’re quite the same.”
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Aria grinned before she could stop herself. “Like, full moon kind of werewolf?”
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Aria nodded. “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to act like I’m studying you or anything. It’s just…wow. Wow.”
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“I didn’t either, but…well, it’s a pretty big cultural thing where I’m from.” The words were unfamiliar in her mouth. Where I’m from…usually, that meant something very different.
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“I’m looking for someone.” Aria watched the exchange, still a little in shock. “You can breathe water. Your biology must be fascinating.” Aria suddenly wished she had a knife. If it started talking, she’d have to think long and hard about whether she’d fallen and hit her head while climbing the mountain.
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“Okay.”
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“Then I hope they find it.” “How can it not matter? That’s your home. There has to be some way that you at least can go back, if you want to.”
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“Legs. Does that mean you can’t go home?” “That’s…peaceful.”
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“Honey moon. Is that…a food?”
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Spirits. Guess I don’t need the regular stereotypes to make people uncomfortable. “Nevermind,” Aria said quickly. “Um, what brought you here?”
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“No—not exactly—” Aria winced. “People who aren’t entirely human come from labs, and they’re usually killers. That’s all.”
