The world will end with a whimper, my uncle used to tell me on the nights when it was safe to sit outside without a mask on. It always seemed like he was talking to someone other than me, but he only said it when we were alone. I don’t know who else he would have been talking to.
Could he have been one of them?
Boris walks with certainty. Each step he takes is deliberate—calculated. That kind of confidence is intimidating. “You know, I’d feel better if you walked beside me. I can’t see you back there, and I’d rather see the bullet coming if it’s all the same to you.” His pace slows as he adjusts his gloves.
I take a deep breath. “It isn’t.”
He shrugs. “What happened to the good old days when people trusted each other?”
“You’re a strange human.”
“What makes you think I’m human?” He smiles. “I mean, I am, but are you willing to take me at my word?”
I stop and so does he. There is something about him—I just can’t put my finger on it. For a moment I am paralyzed in thought. This man—Boris—recognizes that, and maintains the silence until a low growl echoes. This time it sounds closer.
He smiles and continues walking. “That mini roar you keep hearing is from one of the cubs. Nasty little programs. One of Doctor Nelson’s earlier projects. It’s primitive, but it has its place.”
I quickly follow. “Cubs? What are you talking about?”
He sighs. “Your file says you defeated a B.E.A.R. in your previous dome. The cubs are mini versions of that program—still tethered to the perimeter of the experiment, mind you, but dangerous nonetheless.” Without warning, he grabs my hand. “Listen, I think you know better than most that those programs can mess you up. I’m not keen on staying here, are you?”
I pull my hand away. “Don’t touch me.”
He puts his hands up in defense. “Fine, that one was my bad. Look, we just need to get to my workshop, please? It’s just through there.”
There is a literal bright light at the end of the tunnel and the next echoing growl makes the decision for me. Despite my earlier objections, Boris grabs my hand again and pulls me into a run. The sounds of light muffled footsteps are coming from behind us. Gradually our run becomes a full-on sprint and before I know it, we’ve made our way into a large garage-like area.
Boris drops my hand and moves towards the wall. Behind us is a giant open door above the tunnel we just came through. He enters a code in the keypad and the massive gears lining the rails begin moving. That is when I see the flash of electricity in the distance, and a pair of eyes traveling towards us. I look away only as the door lowers into a set of latched openings in the floor.
Boris tosses his bag onto the concrete tiles and makes his way to a short staircase which looks like it leads to a dining area lined with various consoles and monitors. “That was a little too close for my liking.”
I follow, and keep on hand on my weapon at all times. “So we’re at the edge of the dome, then?”
He pauses. “What?”
I climb the stairs after him. “You said the cubs are tethered to the edge of the dome. So we must be close to it.”
He nods. “Yes, an edge of it anyway. We’re sitting right on the bottom-most level.”
“And why are we here?”
“I’m here because this is my designated office.” He pulls out one of the chairs and pushes a few buttons on the console next to him. “And you are here because I wanted to have a conversation.” His accent disappears again. “I know you’ve seen the warrens. I’m curious to know what else you’ve seen.”
I pause. “What do you mean?”
He motions towards one of the chairs. “Please, have a seat?” When I don’t move, he carefully unholsters his weapon and slides it across the floor to my feet. “I don’t know how else to prove that I mean you no harm. We’re actually in a similar predicament here. My partner just bit the dust so I could use an ally; what about you?” Silence creeps between the two of us. Once again, the next play is mine and I’m not sure what to do. I know I don’t have the complete picture. “There’s a whole world out there you’ve never seen. It’s a travesty that the Maverick and I are trying to rectify. What is going on here is criminal, plain and simple.”
I let go of my weapon. “The Maverick?”
He nods. “A man with connections like no other. His network deals in the safety and security of every organic being on the planet. He is who this world needs to turn to.”
“Then why doesn’t it?”
He smiles. “Because he is bound by the laws he helped create. He is human, after all.”
I pause. “And I’m not.”
He doesn’t say anything, not right away. “By law you aren’t–that is why the domes have been allowed to exist for so long. People always have a tendency of trying to keep their hands clean up until the point when they think they have no choice. Synthetic humans are not born. Everything from your skin to the blood coursing through your veins was made in a lab, and your brain—your thoughts and feelings—is nothing short of a work of art.” He speaks as if I am some sort of masterpiece. “What I’d like to do is lift the illusion, but I need some help.”
My uncle used to tell me that life always has a strange way of messing with you. Some people believe their destinies are predetermined, but I think that must be bullshit. I don’t see how anyone could know events would unfold like this.
I take a deep breath. “I’m not good at trusting people.”
He nods. “That’s more than understandable, given—”
“So, I’m going to need something from you.”
He leans back in his chair. “Of course. What are you thinking?”
I take a deep breath. “I want to know your name. Not Boris, your real one.”
For the first time since our conversation started, I think the man in front of me is genuinely speechless. He sighs. “You know, something like that could get me killed if you told anyone.”
I nod. “Trust doesn’t come cheap.”
“No, I suppose it doesn’t.” He stands and presses another button on his console. Within seconds, various pictures and documents appear on the monitors. “I’ve been a lot of people over the years.” He pauses. “But you can call me Garrick, Byron Garrick. As you will learn, I’m a man of many talents.” He extends his hand. “And I hope this means we can work together.”
My life is my own. “Baby steps, Mr. Garrick. We’ll see.”
He shrugs, spins around in his seat, makes little noises and starts muttering to himself. I may very well be looking at the world’s biggest child. That means I have to be careful. Children are unpredictable.