Disclaimer: I do not own Star Trek or any of its characters, only my OC - Kaitlyn Donovan.
This is the sequel to The Ripple Effect.
Thank you everyone that is reading/favorite/following this story - especially to Just a Crazy-Man, Emberka-2012, bonesfan4ever, IrishBug74, Silver-ShadowSpark, numom1, dialee, weezerz2490, SGAmvmm and vesna for the reviews!
Chapter 11 - Hope for Better Days
Broken Remnants
Chapter 11 - Hope for Better Days
Leonard McCoy looked up from the readings on the monitor in his quarters and frowned slightly. He'd been reviewing Lucille Harewood's medical file - or Lucy - as she wanted to be called now. He'd been extensively going through her blood work and genetics to see just how much Khan's blood had changed the child. She was perfectly healthy, and there was no medical reason to keep her at Starfleet Medical. The only reason she was still there was because she had nowhere else to go, and they needed to protect her. They weren't sure what the fall out would be if people found out she had Augment blood running in her veins.
He looked back over his latest genetic scans again. From what he could see, there were five distinctive genetic markers Lucy and Khan had in common now. He'd seen those same similarities before, when he'd tested Kaitlyn's blood. He sat back as his mind raced. He'd seen something more recently. . .
Rachel Reed.
He'd been going over her genetics because Kaitlyn had been worried that Khan and Rachel were too close genetically to be involved with each other. But Khan and Rachel had very distinct differences - some of them he couldn't account for. Rachel should have had more similar coding to Kaitlyn than what he'd discovered, but she didn't.
He called up Rachel's DNA, then Khan's, Lucy's, and Kaitlyn's. He fanned them out over the large monitor and compared their similarities and differences. They all had the same five similar markers. He looked to see if he could find any other similar markers between Rachel and Kaitlyn. There were a few, but not many. He was curious why Rachel's DNA was so different from Kailtyn's - because Kaitlyn had said that certain El-Aurian genes were dominant and would be passed down through generations. Out of curiosity he pulled up Rachel's parents' genetics.
Rachel's father was definitely a descendent of Kaitlyn - he had nine similar markers.
Rachel's mother. . . Leonard stepped closer to the screen. How was this possible? Rachel's mother had the same five markers that the others had, that regular humans did not. But she also had some other markers that weren't common - which is what explained the differences in Rachel's genetics.
"You look perplexed." Kaitlyn observed as Leonard stepped away from the screen. She came over to him and looked over the genetic patterns he was analyzing. She raised an eyebrow. She recognized Rachel's genetic pattern, and her grandson's. "This is Rachel's mother?" she asked as she looked more closely.
Leonard nodded. "Another mystery." He watched Kaitlyn as she went back and forth between the screens and all six patterns.
She called up Rachel's maternal grandfather, great grandmother, and great- great grandfather. She put the family's genetics up from oldest to Rachel on the screen and followed the patterns. "What do you see starting with the oldest?" she asked Leonard softly.
Leonard McCoy frowned at what he saw. He pulled Khan's genetics up beside the great-great grandfather. "An Augmented human."
Kaitlyn nodded, "Yes - but different from Khan. Not a genetically engineered Augment like Khan, but it looks like the genetic codes were manipulated with re-sequencing."
"You mean, like the Kern?" Leonard raised an eyebrow at Kaitlyn. Humans hadn't had that kind of knowledge back then. The only aliens he knew that had been here then were the El-Aurians.
Kaitlyn took a deep breath, "I will look into this development. I haven't had time to read over my mother's journal - it seems I now have a reason." Could her mother have had something to do with this too? "What are you doing today?" she questioned him as she sat down and pulled on her boots.
"I'm trying to map out the genetic changes to Lucy, so I know what to expect when Jim wakes up. I've got a genetics professor coming over to help me out." He sat down on the couch beside her. "You really need to think about moving her, but I don't know where it would be safe to move her to."
Kaitlyn nodded, "I'll come up with some ideas today." She glanced back up at the screen. There were too many unexplained similarities.
"What do you have planned today?" Leonard questioned as she stood up.
"Ambassador Sarek has asked me to come by his offices in an hour." Kaitlyn gave him a small smile, "Dinner tonight?" she suggested as she snaked her arms around his waist.
Leonard grinned, "Whatever you want tonight." he agreed. He touched her cheek gently and could tell that she was wary about her meeting with the Vulcan Ambassador. "Call me if you need me - even if it's just to blow off some steam." he offered, then kissed her cheek.
Kaitlyn squeezed his hand, "I'll remember that." She headed out the door of his quarters and went to the Bridge.
Commander Spock glanced back as the turbolift doors opened. He stood up as he turned to her, "Good morning, Commander. Can I help you?" he inquired. He knew she was busy with her other duties at the moment and could not reason why she was here, now.
Kaitlyn smiled, "Good morning, Commander Spock. I'm heading to your father's office momentarily. Is there anything you wish for me to convey to him, or Ambassador Spock while I am there?" she offered.
"This is a formal meeting?" he inquired.
"I think this is a pre-emptive meeting to a much larger issue. There was a lot of chatter yesterday from Qo'noS." she glanced over the almost completely empty Bridge.
"Do you believe they know we were on their planet?" Spock questioned her quietly. They had been careful, but the Klingons were not stupid.
"No. Nothing from what I've heard indicates that. I think the issue is that of Commander Harrison." she stated as she crossed her arms.
"Are you familiar with Klingon customs of reparations and retribution?" he questioned.
"Very familiar." she nodded.
"They can not be allowed to have him." the Vulcan pointed out.
"They won't get him." she stated firmly.
"Even if it means war between the Klingons and the Federation?" Spock didn't think that was what she was willing to allow to happen either.
"I've learned over time that there are always other options." Kaitlyn looked back at Spock with a raised eyebrow.
"I will send my father a message this afternoon, but thank you for the offer." he bowed his head slightly.
Kaitlyn smiled as she headed to the turbolift, "I'll see you later, Commander." She had promised Ambassador Spock that she would try and get Spock the younger to communicate with his father more. If all it took was offering to take a message to Sarek - this would be easy.
Commander Spock pulled up the information on his PADD about Klingon customs and sat back down in the Command chair as he started to read.
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Commander Kaitlyn Donovan headed to Ambassador Sarek's office. She raised an eyebrow when she noted Ambassador Spock and Doctor Kor in the room as well. She bowed to them slightly as the door was closed behind her. "I'm surprised to find all of you here."
Ambassador Sarek watched her carefully. He'd known her for almost three-quarters of a century and he knew that behind her relaxed stance, she was already calculating all of the possible reasons they were here at the same time. "Surprised - but I assume not unexpected?" he inquired.
Kaitlyn nodded and glanced at the Klingon doctor, "The Klingon High Council wants reparations for Harrison's intrusion onto Qo'noS and for the destruction of three of their D4s and their warriors."
Doctor Kor nodded. He did not like to bear bad news, but as soon as he was informed of what the Klingon High Council wanted, he informed Ambassador Spock. Kor could not stand up to the Council, but perhaps cooler Vulcan logic could prevail before war was declared.
Kaitlyn patted Kor's arm as she walked over to the window, "Thank you for the head's up." She looked out the window at the quickly clearing wreckage of the city. Most of the debris had been transported away and was being analyzed and sifted through hundreds of miles away in the desert. She clasped her hands loosely behind her back, "Do you know their demands?"
"They want Commander Harrison delivered to Qo'noS to face the dead warriors' next of kin." Kor stated.
Kaitlyn sighed. She could never allow that to happen. The Klingons would quickly realize what Khan was as soon as they scanned him. The Klingons had tried a century ago to Augment Klingon DNA - she'd been there - and it had killed thousands of their people and mutated many more that had survived. It had taken two generations for some of their cranial ridges to return. "Unfortunately, that will never happen, Kor. It is not an option."
Ambassador Sarek frowned slightly, "It is a reasonable request in order to avert war with the Klingon Empire." he pointed out.
Ambassador Spock thought quickly. He knew why Khan could not be handed over to the Klingons. He glanced at Kaitlyn and wondered if she already had a solution. Probably so.
Ambassador Sarek's comm beeped.
"Ambassador Sarek, the Federation Council is being called to the Chambers to hear a message from the Klingon High Council." Sarek's Aide stated.
"We will be there momentarily." Sarek clicked off the comm.
They quietly made their way down the corridors to the Federation Council Chambers, as Doctor Kor headed back to the Daystrom.
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Klingon Chancellor Ma'tok stood up as he addressed the Federation Council members over the subspace visual communication. "We demand the war criminal John Harrison. He violated our sovereign territory and destroyed three of our ships and their crew."
Federation President Anazi stepped forward, "His Starfleet trial is scheduled to begin in two weeks. He must first stand trial for his crimes committed here." he stated.
Ma'tok scoffed, "Starfleet will protect him. They will protect him even though he has committed atrocities against us!" He banged his staff twice to silence the Klingon Council members behind him that were angered. He looked over the Federation Council members, "Are you willing to wage war with us over this one man?" he demanded.
Ambassador Spock motioned to speak, then stepped forward. "Our peoples have made progress recently - we do not wish to go against such progress." He motioned for Kaitlyn to come forward, "I believe you remember Commander Donovan."
"What does she have to do with this?" Ma'tok questioned angrily.
"Commander Donovan is John Harrison's Advocate." Ambassador Spock stated.
Commander Kaitlyn Donovan bowed her head slightly, then spoke in Klingon. "Your Excellency, I have a proposal - I think we could better work out the details in private." she suggested.
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Ambassador Sarek's private office.
Ambassador Spock looked at Kaitlyn as Klingon Chancellor Ma'tok nodded in agreement, then ended the transmission. Ambassador Spock shook his head slightly, "I do not think you understand the gravity of the situation you just agreed to."
She picked her PADD up from the table and looked over the rest of the items on her agenda for the day. "Yes, I do." She stood up, "I just have more important things to think about right now. The situation I agreed to is at least four weeks away."
Ambassador Spock stood up and watched as she moved in front of him, "I do not think Khan will agree to what you have proposed." he pointed out.
"He needs to stay focused on his trial and his crew. I'll inform him of this later." Kaitlyn looked at Ambassador Spock pointedly. "What I just negotiated is not to be discussed with anyone." It wasn't often that she put her foot down to the older Ambassador, but she couldn't afford to have him tell anyone else what she'd done.
"You must inform Starfleet Command Council." he reminded her.
She nodded, "I will tell them what they need to know."
"Kaitlyn - you can not lie to them." the elder Spock looked at her, confused.
Kaitlyn took a calming breath, "I am not going to lie to them. But, if I tell them all of the details - it may sway their sentencing of Khan. I will have no hint of impropriety in their decision. Khan has said he will accept their verdict, and so will I."
Ambassador Spock's eyes grew softer, "I do not understand your willingness to put yourself in harm's way." he admitted.
Kaitlyn shrugged and watched him closely, "When will you be travelling back to New Vulcan?"
"Are you trying to get rid of me?" he questioned, understanding that she did not want to discuss the other subject further.
She chuckled softly, "No - I'm just wondering how much longer I can enjoy a meal with you."
"I will stay until the trial is complete. I feel obligated to offer my testimony, if needed." Ambassador Spock explained.
"Well then, why don't we have dinner on Monday?" she offered.
"That will be most agreeable." the older Vulcan nodded. "Where are you off to now?" he inquired as they walked down the quiet halls of the Federation Council.
"Oh, I have a few loose ends to tie up to finish my report for the Command Council on Admiral Marcus' dealings." she smiled when she saw the Andorian Ambassador approaching.
Ambassador Spock followed her eyes and noted the Andorian. "I will bid you farewell for now. Your service honors us." he said softly.
"I live to serve. I'll see you Monday, Ambassador." Kaitlyn watched for a moment as he continued slowly down the hall. She eyed the older Andorian as he stopped before her. "I thought you'd be dead by now." she deadpanned.
Ambassador Shran puffed his chest out proudly, "My family holds records amongst my people for their longevity." He popped her arm and leaned closer to her, "What did you agree to with the Klingons? Never, in all of my years, have they quieted down so quickly."
Kaitlyn grinned at her longtime friend, "I can't tell you, Shran - it's a secret."
"I bet I can get it out of you after a few bottles of Andorian Ale." his antenna wagged.
"Don't have time to drink right now, but I could come over this weekend if you let me bring a guest." Kaitlyn tried to act casual, but it didn't fly with Shran.
Shran's antenna wiggled, "Do I finally get to meet this doctor that has swept you off your feet?" he grinned.
"Shran. . ." Kaitlyn stopped as she felt a pang of guilt in her chest.
Shran's antenna dipped sadly, "I did not mean to make you feel bad, Kaitlyn. Malcolm was a great man and no one can replace him. But, I know he'd want you to be happy."
Kaitlyn tried to push away her uneasiness and smiled softly. There were still a few people alive that remembered her late husband and Shran was one of them. "I will bring Doctor McCoy with me - but so help me - if you lambast him, I'll make you remember why you don't spar with me anymore."
Shran chuckled, "I can still hold my own." He glanced at the chronometer on the wall, remembering he had a meeting with the old, cranky Tellerite Ambassador Gral in ten minutes. "Saturday night, six o'clock at my house." he instructed her as he waved and headed down the hall.
Kaitlyn quickly left Federation Headquarters before she could run into any other old friends. The shuttle door opened as she approached and closed as soon as she entered. She nodded to Commander Markum as he piloted the shuttle. She'd recruited him a few days ago to work with her on the investigation. Though he'd been a tough rival during her time in Starfleet Intelligence and First Contact Officer training, she'd never doubted his loyalty and morality. He did what needed to be done, with just enough force called for in the situation.
"Are you sure you're ready to talk to him?" Markum questioned as he flew the craft to the remote Section 31 station in the desert.
Kaitlyn contemplated his question carefully as she looked out the shuttle window. "How long would it take you to be ready to question the man who tried to kill you and your crew? The same man that had interrogated and tortured your great granddaughter for a week?" she looked back at Markum. When she'd recruited him, she'd told him about her past and given him access to her personal records.
"General, I don't think there would ever be enough time for me to be ready to talk to him, but that's just me." he told her truthfully.
She gave him a small smile, "I thought I told you not to call me that."
"When you are in the role of the Acting Head of Section 31 - that is your rank. I'm not going to call you by your first name." he stated firmly. He'd been an Operative in Section 31 for almost 20 years, and they'd known of each other and worked with each other on occasion during that time. Truthfully, he'd resented getting pulled into First Contact Officer training - it's not what he wanted to do. But, he'd realized last year that his forty year old body was not cut out for constant Operative work anymore and he'd been grateful for working on a ship that stayed close to the Sol System. Some days he could feel every single one of the injuries he'd ever gotten.
She turned slightly in her seat to face him, "Why not? You did when we were in training." she pointed out.
"That was before I knew who you were." Markum glanced at her before he started to land the shuttle. "You earned the rank, Ma'am. And what you're doing now just proves it. Any lesser person would just have him disappear."
He landed the shuttle and turned the engines off. He stood up beside her, knowing she wanted to speak to him before they entered the facility. "Ma'am?"
Kaitlyn took a deep breath, "Do you know why I brought you with me?"
Commander Jason Markum nodded, "To keep you focused, Ma'am." He knew she would extract all of the information out of Captain Cartwright without ever having to lay a hand on the man, but he also knew the conflict raging within her. Do what was morally right, or do to the man what he'd done to her great granddaughter. He was there to help her stay focused and keep her from stooping to Cartwright's tactics.
Kaitlyn nodded. She turned and headed out the shuttle and into the facility.
Cartwright looked up slowly from his chair as she entered the room, his eyes burned with anger. "You are going to interrogate me? Isn't that a conflict of interest?" he seethed.
Kaitlyn sat down across the table from him, as Markum stood at the door. "I'm not here to interrogate you, I'm here to question you." she stated as she turned on her PADD.
"Right - is that why you brought your guard dog with you?" Cartwright questioned as he quickly sized up the well built man at the door that looked like he just need the word from her to let loose on him.
Kaitlyn could feel her temper rise at his baiting. She flicked a glance at Markum, then back to Cartwright. She took a calming breath. "I brought Commander Markum with me to ensure your safety. I trust that in your time in reading Section 31 files, you thoroughly examined my records. You know what I'm capable of doing." She leaned slightly across the table and leveled her gaze at Cartwright, "I've learned that you like to physically hurt women for your own perverted pleasure - would you prefer for Commander Markum to leave, so we can be alone?" her question underlying her threat as she gave him a small smile.
Cartwright swallowed hard as he sat back in his chair, "I think the Commander should stay." He saw the fury in her eyes, it was the same look that Khan had given him a few times. "What do you want to know?"
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Starfleet Medical.
Doctor Leonard McCoy nodded as the other doctor entered the room, he extended his hand. "Doctor Miles, I'm Doctor Leonard McCoy, glad you could lend some assistance to me today."
"It is my pleasure to be of assistance. Please, call me Professor - I have practiced medicine in over twelve years." the tall Nordic looking blond haired man smiled. "Now, how can I help you? The message I received was vague."
McCoy nodded, "We have some very unique patients - all of this is classified." he looked at the man pointedly.
Miles nodded in understanding and followed McCoy down the corridor.
"I understand your doctoral study was on the Augments of the Eugenics Wars." McCoy stated.
"Yes, I studied and researched on Cold Station 12 where they had Augment DNA stored." Miles explained as they headed to McCoy's makeshift office.
McCoy had the door shut behind them, "I understand you did some genetic workups for Section 31 when they found the Botany Bay with Khan and his crew." He watched the professor carefully.
"How . . . I don't know what you're talking about." Miles stammered.
McCoy pulled up the pertinent official forms indicating that McCoy had been thoroughly briefed on the situation and that Miles was allowed to disclose the information needed.
Miles read over the form carefully, then he noted the name on the bottom of the form. He looked up at McCoy slowly, "Commander Donovan is the Acting Head of Section 31?" His mind was racing. It was bad enough that she was Khan's Advocate, but she was the head of Section 31? She could have Khan disappear as soon as the trial was over. He tried to remain calm. He needed to learn all he could about their plans for Khan.
McCoy nodded, "She is. Now, I called you in because I need help mapping out the genetic changes made in a little girl as a result of Khan's blood."
"You injected Khan's blood into a child?" Mile's voice waivered.
"No, Khan did that himself to cure her in order to get her father to blow up the Kelvin Memorial Archives." McCoy stated evenly. He pulled up her medical scans before she'd been cured, then of the scans he took yesterday.
Miles analyzed the scans. It was remarkable - the girl had completely been cured of her terminal disease and was now the epitome of perfect health. "The results are evident - why do you need to map out the changes?" he questioned.
Leonard McCoy sighed softly, "We have another patient that was given a serum made from Khan's blood. Technically, the patient was dead and brought back to life. The transfusions did a number on the patient and he's still in a coma. All indications are that he will wake up soon. But, as his doctor, I need to know of any long term affects that might occur down the road."
Erik Miles watched the other doctor curiously, "Another patient? This time a serum of Khan's blood was used - why?"
McCoy quickly told him what had happened to Captain Kirk and the resulting serum being injected into him to bring him back to life. He watched as Professor Miles digested all of this information.
Miles was stunned. They'd taken Khan's blood and used it to make a serum to cure a man from death. A serum that could be replicated if they had more of Khan's blood. What were these people going to do to Khan? No one deserved to be treated as an experimental lab rat just because of their unique genetic abilities. He reigned in the sickening taste that rose in his throat. He looked at McCoy. The man looked like he was truly concerned for his patients. "I will help you with these two patients, but I will tell you right know that I do not condone using Khan's blood to cure anyone else."
McCoy nodded, "I understand." He brought Miles over to another workstation and showed him the results of the other tests he'd run.
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Khan looked up from his PADD as Rachel came into the lab. "How did your meeting go?" he inquired.
Rachel sighed softly as she fixed a cup of coffee, then came over to sit beside him on the couch. "Fine. They just took my formal statement and asked me some questions. Thankfully, they had already read the report I'd given to GG, or I think I would have been there a lot longer."
"It must have been very hard. I wish I could have gone with you." he admitted.
Rachel shook her head, "It was actually very therapeutic to be able to tell them everything that I'd been through the past three years."
"Was Kaitlyn there with you?" Khan asked as he watched her run her fingers through her hair slowly.
"No, and I'm glad she wasn't. I would've felt uneasy telling them everything if she was there. I know she'll listen to the recording - but at least she wasn't right there when I was saying it." Rachel sighed again. She looked at Khan as he studied her. "I told them about what happened between us, and how you always tried to protect me - well, until I pulled the alarm."
Khan tensed. He didn't want her to be shunned by her people because of the relationship they'd had. He still didn't remember everything that happened between them the first time they'd been on the Jupiter station together - it was all just flashes and snapshots of them together in his mind. Whatever drug Marcus had given him was still blocking his memories. "Were they upset?"
"No - surprisingly." She shrugged and took another sip of coffee. "Maybe they pity me, I don't know."
Khan didn't know which was worse - having your superior officers upset at you, or having them pity you. He didn't like either option. "They should not pity you. You are strong, Rachel - that's how you survived three years under Marcus' control." he pointed out.
Rachel set her cup down on the table, "I wish you remembered. I've tried to convince myself that what happened between us was just a fling, but in my heart I know it wasn't just that for me. If it didn't mean anything to you, then I'll drop it and move on after all this blows over." She worried her bottom lip as she glanced at him. It was embarrassing really, telling someone that you wanted a relationship with them when they couldn't remember everything that happened.
Khan cupped her face gently, then traced her jaw with his thumb. "I know how I feel now, and if that's any indication - I know it wasn't just a fling." He tilted her chin slightly as he noted the fading slice mark at her throat. His eyes narrowed. "If it really didn't mean anything, I wouldn't feel the overwhelming urge to strangle Cartwright."
Rachel placed her hand on his chest and felt his strong heartbeat beneath her palm, "He doesn't deserve such a quick end. Besides, I don't want you to get in any more trouble." She took a deep breath, "I'd like to be with you for a very long time."
Khan's eyes widened, then grew dark. "What if I'm sentenced to prison for the rest of my life?" He couldn't fathom her wanting to stay with him through all of that.
"I don't believe that will happen - not with GG as your Advocate. There is enough evidence showing that Marcus used you and your family. He violated so many Starfleet and Federation laws with what he did. GG will make sure the Council knows everything." Rachel stated firmly. Her great grandmother wouldn't allow Khan to take all of the blame for what happened - she just wouldn't.
"You are very confident in Kaitlyn's abilities."
"You have read her files - right?" She leaned closer and looked him in the eye, "If you get put in prison, then I should be put in there with you. Khan, I'm the one that selected your crewmembers to stay in the Botany Bay. I'm just as responsible for what happened to them as Marcus is." she pointed out.
Khan shook his head fervently, "No - you are not. Marcus made you select my people - he did not give you the option to say no. I have reviewed who you selected." He closed his eyes tightly as he winced. He was responsible for each and every member of his crew. They were his family. He was their leader, the one they looked to for guidance and strength, their rock that never failed. He opened his eyes and saw the tears welling up in her eyes. "Of my crew, you selected the weakest and least skilled - how did you know?" he asked as he held her hand in place on his chest.
Rachel took a deep, shaky breath as she wiped away a stray tear with her other hand. "I went through all of the files, but that didn't help too much. At least, not until I started mapping out where everyone was in the hierarchy of cryotubes." She looked up and met his gaze slowly, "I am sorry."
"You did what you had to do." Khan watched as her body shuttered slightly. She was mentally exhausted from detailing her past three years to the Command Council and he knew she was still physically hurting from some of her lingering injuries because she hadn't gotten the proper medical attention. "Rest with me." he suggested as he stretched out on the couch.
Rachel gave him a small smile as she laid down beside him, "You mean you don't have anything you need to be doing right now? We can actually just rest for awhile?" she double checked.
Khan smirked as she situated herself better, "The computer is compiling some data for me at the moment, so I can afford to be here with you for a little while." He didn't want her to get the idea that this would happen often - he usually never just 'rested'. He wrapped his arm around her back and ran his hand lazily over her to get her to relax.
Rachel laid her head on his chest and smiled, "Then I will treasure this moment."
Khan felt her breathing even out after a few minutes and soon she was asleep. He really didn't know how his trial would go. There were too many variables, too many possible outcomes. He hoped that if he did get to relocate with his crew to a new planet that Rachel would come. He didn't know how his people would react to her, but after they learned all she did to keep them safe - he knew they would accept her. His people were good and kind to those that earned their trust. Yes, they had been genetically engineered to dominate, to extinguish uprisings with force - but they still had feelings, they weren't emotionless robots. He sighed softly and kissed the top of Rachel's head as she continued to sleep. He closed his eyes and just soaked up the feeling he had within in that he hadn't had in a very long time. Hope. He allowed himself to believe that - just maybe - everything would turn out for the best for his people.
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TBC.
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