The Extinction Trials(87)

“How do I know the files are real?” Maya asked.

“You know they are. You know the format. The way Genesis runs its trials. And it’s related to your work on dementia.”

“They’re reversing my cure. Using it to create a virus.”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“What do you think would happen if the entire world had dementia—a specific kind of dementia that affected mostly memories?”

“A collapse.”

“Yes. For a while. And what could you do if you had the cure? If you could organize everyone and give them something that had a biological impact on their brain?”

“Anything.”

“That’s right,” Parrish said. “You could upgrade the human race. That’s what they want to do.”

“Upgrade how?”

“We don’t know. What we do know is that they are not happy with the current world order. They want to be in charge. And they’re planning something very big to make that happen. They’re using you—and your research—to make that happen. Millions will die. Maybe billions.”

Maya swallowed. “What are you asking of me?”

“Only one thing: to be our eyes and ears inside Genesis. To gather data and send it to me.”

“You want me to be a spy.”

“Yes.”

Maya pointed to the data drive on the dining table. “Seems like you already have one.”

“Had one.”

“What happened.”

Parrish stared at her.

“I see,” Maya said. “So, Genesis is aware that you’re on to them?”

“Genesis is part of a coalition of companies. They call themselves The Human Union—or The Union. And yes, they know we have become aware of their plans. They’re accelerating their timeline. We need more information. And you’re our best chance. I know this is going to sound crazy, but the entire future of the human race could turn on what you do here, Maya. We need your help. We need you to gather data for us.”

“And what if I end up like your last agent? The one who gathered the data on that drive?”

“You have my word that I will do everything in my power to prevent that from happening.”

“How?”

“First, we’ll train you.”

“Train me how?”

“In self-defense. You’ll enroll at a martial arts dojo a few blocks away. I’ll be your instructor. In those sessions, we’ll exchange information—and data drives, if you can smuggle them out.”

“I get the feeling this is not the kind of thing I can fist-fight my way out of.”

“True. But if the time comes—if you’re trapped—you have my word, I’ll come for you. I will do everything in my power to get you to safety, wherever in the world that may be. I promise you, Maya.”





In the observation room, Maya stood, trying to process the memories she had recovered. She had known that her work had been used for the Genesis Virus and that Parrish had recruited her and enrolled her in The Extinction Trials as a way to save her, but seeing it in her mind’s eye was a completely different thing.

The next memory was of the Fall.





Maya was wearing a spacesuit, working in a clean room, when a voice came over the speaker.

“Maya.”

“Yes, Darius?”

“I need to see you.”

“We’re in the middle of something—”

“It’s urgent. I’m sorry, Maya, but your life could depend on it.”

Maya exited the lab, removed the suit, and made her way to the conference room, where Darius Aldridge was waiting with two medical technicians. One took a blood sample, the other swabbed her shoulder with an alcohol pad and uncapped a syringe.

“What’s this?” Maya asked.

Darius stared at her. “A vaccine.”

“Vaccine for what?”

“Something we’ve been working on. Just in case it gets loose. We want to protect you, Maya. Just like you protect us.” He watched her, waiting, and when she said nothing, he pressed on. “Don’t you trust me?”

“Of course,” Maya said, trying to make her voice calm, and failing.

Darius nodded to the young man holding the syringe, and he jabbed it into Maya’s shoulder. She was nearly certain she knew what it was, and that they were likely watching her.

On her way home from the office, Maya opened her old-fashioned appointment book, which she had bought specifically for her work with Parrish, and wrote him a note that read, I think they know about me. I’m going to download all the data and drop it at lunch tomorrow.

In a park near her apartment building, she sat on a bench, chewing gum, watching until there was no one around. Casually, she took the gum from her mouth, attached it to the page, and stuck it on the underside of the bench.

That was the last night she ever spent in her apartment. At the gym the next morning, she got sick.





The door in The Colony opened and Darius Aldridge stepped into the observation room.

“Hello, Maya.”

“Hi,” she said quietly.

“Do you remember now?”

“Yes.”