Chapter 34 - Unexpected

"Look, this is the last time I'm going to explain this to you worms...The choices are monkeys, cats, or dogs."

The man lecturing the group of Souls of their choices stood behind the front check-in receptionist counter at Cedars-Sinai. His hands were on his hips and an exasperated annoyed frown on his face. He was on the shorter side. Probably coming up just an inch or two higher than Wanda estimated Jared as he watched from his seat across the hall. Even though the man was not very tall, he still carried an intimidating air of authority. His black hair was trimmed into a short crew cut hairstyle. Combined with his dark eyes and his even darker scowl he seemed to almost radiate a tight, angry field of administrative irritation. As if everything here was beneath his concern.

The Souls, there were four of them huddled together in a semi-circle, all had their faces collectively fall at the pronouncement. "But," said one in the group, a young woman with frizzy brown hair, "I don't want to be inserted into an animal. Isn't there some other option?"

"Yes," snipped the man behind the counter, "I can have the security guards out front come over and yank you out right now. And maybe we'll get around to putting you in a Cryotank if we feel like it."

The Souls blanched at the threat. The frizzy haired woman closed her eyes, and a few tears trickled out. The other three members of the little family were all quick to hug and try to comfort. They squeezed together for a few heartbreaking moments before the woman dried her tears and opened her eyes.

"I-I guess a dog then," she sniffed as she fought back further tears.

"Fine," replied the little man, still uninterested at the Souls' misery. "Just fill out this paperwork, and we'll get you processed."

He handed over a clipboard with some papers. The Soul woman took it with shaking hands. One of the others in the group, an older man, put his arms around her. "It will be alright, Traces the Sky. We will take good care of you in your new body. And if...Dawn wakes up...we'll be given additional food rations..."

"And on that note," put in the man behind the counter. "If your host body does recover, remember she will have full privileges in the city. All of you will obey every command she gives. Failure will result in the loss of your food rights."

"We remember the rules," muttered the Soul quietly.

If Jared had not gotten to know Wanda, Sunny, and even Burns so well, he would likely not have pickup on the trace of resentment in the Soul's gentle words. He would have only heard the meek reply Souls usual gave when faced with the outstanding threat of the Los Angeles Free Zone. It was subtle, but it was there. Anger, outrage, loathing, and disgust. All those negative emotions Souls claimed they did not have. Humanity was once again teaching the Souls something new - How to hate.

His primary example of that lesson sat right next to him. Wanda's small hands were balled so tightly into fists her knuckles were white. She had been actively glaring at the whole tragic affair. Her grey-silver eyes never left the family of four as they shuffled over to an empty row of chairs. Soon they would become a family of five. With the soul Traces the Sky inserted into a stray dog, and if she were lucky, Dawn the human host would wake up to a bizarre new world.

"Unbelievable," hissed Wanda through clenched teeth.

Jared put a hand on Wanda's clutched fist. "I'm sorry." He did not know what else to say.

Her hand under his relaxed, the tightly coiled muscles slowly loosening. She let out a sigh as a puff of air she had been holding back. There was not much either one of them could do. If Wanda had tried to intervene, she would have detained immediately by the ever present Free Zone security. With the most likely result her true self - the small, fragile silver alien - pulled from her host body and discarded. Jared would not have fared much better. While the security in the hospital might not stop him from interfering, they would most certainly question him. Check his identity. View him with an enormous amount of suspicion. And after last night failure to rescue Melanie, he needed to keep a low profile.

He had debated about even coming to the hospital. Just ignoring Melanie's plea and head back to Arizona. Remaining in Los Angeles was going to be risky. But he could not turn away, not just yet. He needed to understand why Melanie would risk everything to stay here.

"It's alright," said Wanda after a minute. "It's not your fault, Jared. You're not the one being so cruel." Her voice was softer, calmer. Yet the anger still lingered in her words. "There's just no need to be like that." Looking pointedly at the short man behind the counter, she continued, "He could have been kind. He could have promised her safety to another world. Not shove her into dog's body."

Jared readily agreed, but his curiosity tugged at him. "What will it be like for Traces the Sky?"

"You mean existing in a lower animal with a smaller brain?"

"Yeah."

Wanda's expression turned pensive as she considered her answer. "I don't know exactly how it would be, as I've never been in a dog's body," she finally answered. "I suppose she'll like to chase a ball, bark at the mailman, or whatever dogs like to do."

"But she'll remember who she is? What her life was like before?"

"Oh yes," agreed Wanda with an unhappy grimace. "Most likely just enough to realize how much she's lost."

Confused by her answer, Jared frowned in puzzlement. Wanda nodded as she took a moment to articulate her response. "It's difficult for me to explain it in a way you could understand. Our sense of self is always with us. But our ability to experience life, to comprehend it, is mainly based on our host bodies and their abilities. As a Spider, I could do calculations as fast as any Human computer. Make sense of large equations. But my eyes could only see in black and white. So, while I might understand the concept of the color, I wouldn't be able to fathom a red apple or a blue sky. Now that I'm in a human body I can see colors, but only dimly remember how to factor polynomial prime numbers in real time."

Jared leaned back in his seat as he thought over Wanda's explanation. "Dogs have a better sense of smell than humans. She'll be able to pick up all types of scents we can't. But their eyes aren't the same as ours. And they hear sounds in a different range than people."

"Yes, it will be confusing for her. She'll remember things like a car, a book, or a TV. But she won't be able to recall how any of it works. Her new eyes won't be able to make out printed words. Conversations will move too fast for her to follow. Her mind will be limited. Slowed down by the smaller brain she'll be attached to."

Jared looked over to where Traces the Sky was filling out the forms that would 'authorize' her own removal and shook his head. He had heard the LA Free Zone had started this practice, moving Souls from Human hosts to animals like dogs and cats. This was the first time he had been witness to the event. It was claimed that Souls who chose this option were doing it for the greater good. There might even be some truth to this, the Souls had said they would receive additional food if Traces the Sky's host woke up. But he could not disagree with Wanda. Everything about this was unnecessarily cruel.

A new voice interrupted Jared's private musing on the ongoing abasement of the Souls. "Excuse me, are you the ones looking for Doctor Richards?"

Jared turned away from watching Traces the Sky to find a dark-haired man standing before them, dressed in the typical blue scrubs of hospital staff. He looked to be roughly Jared's own age. But it was a little hard to tell. The man had several days' worth of subtle on his face and dark bags under his eyes. He looked like he was just barely awake.

"Umm...yeah we are," replied Jared.

The man briefly eyed Wanda, but his attention quickly came back to Jared. "What's this about?"

Melanie had said to find Doctor Robert Richards at Cedar Sinai. However, she had not told Jared why beyond the vague warning that lives were at risk and the doctor was a friend of hers. The note she had hastily shoved into his pocket did not give any clue as to what was going on. It was filled with a series of numbers and letter. Some type of cryptic code. He and Wanda were in unfamiliar and dangerous territory, with no clear idea who they could trust. Jared was going to play this close to the vest, and keep his answers short and simple.

"It's kind of personal. It'd be best if we talked to Doctor Richards directly."

The man wearily sighed. "The Doc is busy. Unless this is something life or death, he really doesn't have the time."

"Well," said Wanda, more than a little testily, "it is an emergency. We need to see him right away."

He gave Wanda a longer look. A touch of surprise on his face at a Soul being so clearly angry. "And can you explain the emergency? Tell me what is so important?"

"No," snapped Wanda, "I can't."

Shifting his gaze back to Jared, the man leaned closer, and his voice dropped to a harsh whisper. "Look, I don't know what the deal is, but if she goes mouthing off like this in front of the wrong people, she is going to have a very bad day."

Wanda leaned in as well, her voice dropping into angry murmur which sounded a lot like a growl. "I have survived far worse days than your simple little human brain could imagine."

The man blinked in astonishment and then made a sound between a snort and chuckle. "You would be surprised." He shook his head and asked Wanda, "What's your name?"

"Drifting Clouds," answered Jared.

But Wanda gave her own answer, her voice filled with a growing heat. "I'm tired of always lying. My name is Wanderer."

Jared shot Wanda a tight frown of disapproval. She should not be using her actual name here. Neither one of them should. Far too dangerous when Craig Williams and his cabal were looking for any sign of resistant Souls and sympathetic Humans. Wanda saw his grimace but did attempt to correct the slip-up. Her frustration had been slowly building since they came to LA. She had watched, helpless, as her people were threatened, abused, and generally treated like slaves. Last night when he had returned without Melanie, explaining she had refused to come with him, Wanda's mood had taken a dejected dark turn. The final straw to break the camel's back. Now after watching Traces the Sky lose her host body, her very rare anger appeared to be bubbling over.

Attempting to quickly rectify the misstep, Jared added hastily, "She's got more than one, you know how the buggers love have all those names from other worlds."

Yet his lie made little difference. Their questioner got a very strange look on his face. For a moment, he looked like he was listening to an unseen and unheard voice. Then he gave his head a hard shake like he was attempting to dislodge something. He let out another tired sigh and sat down next to Wanda.

"You know," he said deftly. "It's likely best you stop using that name. There was a security alert this morning to keep an eye out for a Soul going by the name 'Drifting Clouds.' Something about a missing security badge." A wisp of a smile came to his face. "She was accompanied by a guy calling himself 'Matt Stamons.' And both of you would fit the given descriptions."

A line of ice went down Jared's spine. He had not planned on staying in the city after his stealing the security badge. They, along with Melanie, should have been far away from here by now. The guards from last night had seen his face, put enough together to realize their deception. It was very possible coming here was a fatal mistake. Jared saw Wanda wore a similar worried expression.

"Hey, hey," said the man as saw he put his hands. "No worries. I'm trying to help. It's best we get you two out of the front lobby before someone does recognize you."

"Who are you?" asked Jared, still uncertain about the man's good will.

The man's small smile spread to become a wry grin. "The name's Noah." His head bobbed up and down as he looked to Wanda. "And I've heard quite a lot about you, Wanderer."

####

'Okay thumb, move,' commanded Marc. The thumb on Bright Moon's left hand did not even twitch. Trying again, Marc concentrated. 'Move.' Nothing happened. Still determined, Marc began to mentally chant, 'Move. Move. MOVE. MOVE!'

Bright Moon sighed. 'Marc, it's not going to work. I'm sorry, but I can't give you back control of your body no matter how much I might want to.'

'Damn, this feels like I'm stuck in quicksand. I can't do anything.'

'Sorry.'

Marc pondered his failure. 'Wanda made it sound like Melanie could take back her body when she was really determined. I figured I should be able to do the same.'

'It's not that simple,' replied Bright Moon. 'Wanderer would lose control when she was distracted, and Melanie was upset or otherwise intensely emotional. I'm not distracted, and you're not angry.'

Dark humor rose in Marc's mind. 'So, I've got to distract you...' Almost immediately he started concentrating on the many pranks and tricks he had played in the past on the Seekers in general and Bright Moon in particular. Bright Moon did not find Marc's antics very distracting, just annoying.

'Behave,' lightly scolded Bright Moon. Soon the Soul was pressing back, clamping down on Marc's stream of offending memories. Push – Marc dumped a bunch of hungry rats in Bright Moon's apartment. Pull – Bright Moon shoved the repulsive memory away and recalled the rooms neat and clean, and rodent free. Push. Pull. Neither one gaining any advantage. There was no animosity in their struggle, it was almost playful. Both were still joyful at Marc's recovery.

Unknowingly interrupting their spirited bickering, Seeker Justin sat down next to Bright Moon and handed over a cup of water. Seeing the abrupt startled expression on Bright Moon's face, Justin grew confused. "Is there a problem?"

"Um, no," said Bright Moon, taking the offered drink. Internally the Soul gave Marc the mental equivalent of a 'Shush!' to make him be quiet.

"We have a little left," clarified Justin as Bright Moon drank from the cup. "But we all must keep hydrated. Hopefully, we can find a source of potable water."

"Agreed," nodded Bright Moon. "I will keep my eyes open as we travel."

"Very well," said Justin as he stood back up. "We'll be leaving in five minutes."

"Understood."

They watched as the other Seekers fold up the tent and prepare to get underway. Marc was puzzled over Bright Moon's attitude. 'I don't get why you won't tell the others that you found me. They all know you were looking. Why not say something?'

Another mental sigh. 'I'm worried...I don't know how they will react. I don't want to cause further problems.'

Marc groaned. 'This is about you Souls' ridiculous obsession with controlling your host bodies. Of not being seen as too weak to manage a resistant host. You wanted me back, but you're embarrassed in front of the others.'

'No. It's not like that,' insisted Bright Moon.

'Then explain it me, please. I'm still trying to get caught up here. I'm waking up to find more than three months have passed since the bunker. You tell me Chicago was bombed, but you don't know how bad. War has started back up between Human and Souls, but you don't know who's winning. And the Facility has some sort of super weapon called CURE. What the hell has been going on?'

'Marc, I know you're frustrated. I'm sorry. There is so much. I can't even begin...' Bright Moon trailed off as the Soul considered how to explain. But there really was no need. There was a faster way. Bright Moon opened up, and let a torrent of imagery of the last few months flow forth. 'See it through my eyes, Marc...Feel the memories...All of them...'

And Marc did. It began with Bright Moon's horror of waking up in his body and finding him gone. Then rescue by desperate Healers digging through the rubble of the bunker. Sitting in a makeshift tent acting as a healing center while the fractured bone in the leg was repaired. Hearing the news about the cities around the world...Chicago. All of them burning. Then reports coming in of the Seeker task force going missing. No one knowing what was happening. Chaos reigned.

Bright Moon first sees CURE being used by a crop dusting plane flying low over a field of Souls. The black gas spraying out behind the aircraft. The foul-smelling cloud settling on the startled crowd. A few cough and cry out, but in seconds they all fall to the ground unconscious. Some Souls run to help their fallen brethren. They too succumb to the mysterious black smoke. It does not take long before the true nature of the gas is revealed. A few of the bodies wake up...Human. Disorientated. Frightened. They stare at the those who escaped the gassing. Bright Moon and the other Souls gaze back. Astonished. Horrified. What has happened to their kind inside these Humans?

At first, for at least a few minutes, there is a strange calm between the now two divided groups. The Humans recognize the Souls. Remember them as friends, colleagues. But soon they recall more. Of lives stolen. Their world lost.

"What have you done to us!?" comes their outraged cry.

More Humans wake up. An angry mob forms. The Souls are quickly finding themselves outnumbered. Bright Moon and the others run. The Humans give chase, but they are still disorganized and relatively few in number. Escaping, the Souls try to find others of their kind. They soon meet others fleeing from former friends. Black clouds of CURE are drifting down all over the place. Nearby towns which would have been safe havens are now dangerous strongholds of newly recovered Humans.

Days grow to weeks. The Souls are constantly being hunted by increasingly organized and determined Humans. They are driven deeper and deeper into the surrounding forests. In the vast woodlands of northern Michigan, there are many places to hide. But it is a difficult transition. Food, water, all the conveniences of modern civilization are gone. Yet they struggle on, desperately trying to find their way to safety.

All the while Bright Moon seeks to find Marc. He has simply vanished from his mind. Nothing works to bring him back. The Soul even begins contemplating getting caught. To be purposely exposed to the black gas. It would evidently bring Marc back. But at what price to Bright Moon? It is becoming abundantly clear the returning Humans are discarding Souls which previously controlled them. Horror at the loss of life begins to solidify into a real, palpable anger by the usually peaceful, nonviolent Souls.

Word reaches the Souls of a gathering of their forces. Tens of thousands of hastily gathered Seekers and other volunteers are gathering in the small town of Iron Mountain. They will use their greater numbers to crush the ongoing insurgency of Humans and restore order. Bright Moon reluctantly takes part. Hope for the peace between the two races Bright Moon had fought for with Marc looks to be a dying dream.

There is a high confidence among the Souls gathered at Iron Mountain. They have the numbers. They can stop the violent Humans. These creatures are proving themselves to be every bit the monsters the Seekers have always claimed. Their threat must end.

Bright Moon tries to bring Wanderer's warning. The Humans are not alone in this fight. The long thought dead Vultures have returned. They are arming the Humans. Underestimating them could be a fatal mistake. But the advice is ignored by the other Souls. Since the attacks on the cities, the Souls have soured on the Wanderer's message of coexistence between humanity and their people. Wanderer is a traitor, they say. Corrupted by the Humans. Anything she has said is a lie and cannot be trusted.

The Battle of Iron Mountain is a massacre for the Souls on a scale not seen in a long, long time. The attacking Humans number less than two thousand soldiers, yet they dominate the battle. All the weapons the Seekers initially brought to fight the Facility have been recaptured by the Humans. They use the terrible tools of war to their maximum effect. Raining hell down upon Bright Moon's unsuspecting people.

The Souls had brought gas masks they believed would protect them from the Humans' most powerful weapon. But the black gas CURE had already been improved. Now it could be absorbed directly through the skin. Even the smallest dose can incapacitate dozens. For every host body lost, the Human Resistance Army gains a recruit. The Souls weaken. The Humans grow only stronger.

The Humans had been relatively few and far less organized than the Souls, yet aided with their captured weapons and their powerful CURE gas, they destroy the strong and the many. As their forces fall, Bright Moon and a handful of others once again go on the run. The Souls have been completely routed. It is once again a desperate struggle as they escape into the surrounding wilderness.

Nearly twenty Souls flee with Bright Moon. In the beginning, they hoped to make their way out of the thick forests and reach territory still held by their kind. But the Human forces come for them again and again. They are relentless. Soon the Souls are whittled down to just a handful. For last two weeks, they have taken refuge deep in these woods. Far as possible from the now powerful reborn humanity.

Marc took all Bright Moon's memories in. All of them. A profound silence filled his mind. Finally, he weakly whispered, 'My God, I've woken to a nightmare.'

'Yes,' replied a gloomy Bright Moon. 'Your people have regained power in the region. My kind are being systematically eliminated. I fear how the others will react if they find out your mind has returned.'

'Why?' asked a still horrified Marc. 'Why did you even try to bring me back?'

'You sacrificed yourself for me. I just couldn't let you go. Maybe I was just stubborn...'

Breaking into their silent conversation, Seeker Justin handed over a pack of the Seekers' few belongings to Bright Moon. The other Seekers were already prepared to leave. They were waiting on Bright Moon.

"Are you ready?" asked Justin.

With the memories of the past few months still fresh and raw, and Marc's mind still trying to process it all. Bright Moon let out a troubled sigh and answered, "Yes, let's get going."

####

Jared had gone to Cedars-Sinai uncertain what to expect. And after meeting Noah, Jared was only growing more confused. The man had led Jared and Wanda on a complicated route through the hospital. The place was a massive complex of buildings, and it did not take long before Jared was thoroughly turned around. They passed through bustling offices, busy waiting rooms, even into an operating room being prepped for surgery. Along the way, they encountered many Souls. The hospital employed thousands, and while the administrative staff had been replaced with Humans loyal to Craig Williams, most still working here were Wanda's people.

At first, the Souls they passed would go silent at seeing Jared and Noah. Meekly looking down, avoiding eye contact, even with Wanda. However, as they went deeper into the hospital, the Souls' attitude changed. They were friendlier. They apparently knew Noah and were quite happy to see him. They were still a little skittish around Jared and Wanda. But when Noah came across one of the Healers, a plump older woman with the ironic name of Tiny Waves, he told her who they were. The Healer immediately pulled them both into a tight hug.

"Oh! I'm so pleased to meet you both," she had said after letting go of a startled Jared and Wanda.

Confused, Wanda had asked, "You know us?"

"You are Wanderer, Melanie's friend, are you not?"

"Yes...I am," answered a still confused Wanda.

"She told me all about you when I met her," Tiny Waves had gushed. "I was scared of Melanie at first. All the Humans before her had been so mean. But she was nice to me..."

Noah had then interrupted. "Okay, Tina," he had said with a sigh, "we shouldn't talk here. We need to get to Bob's office."

Tiny Waves, who apparently went by the name Tina, had nodded with a look which could almost be called mischievous. "Agreed."

Both Wanda and Jared were baffled, but Noah and the Healer had not offered any explanation. After a few more turns they had reached an unremarkable door. There was a small plaque next to it labeled 'Doctor Richard Roberts.' Below this sign was another, a handwritten message, saying 'Call me Doctor Bob.' Noah had opened the door without hesitation and gestured for them to go through.

Now Jared and Wanda exchanged uncertain glances as they stood before the doorway. Just what was Melanie getting them in to? Wanda rolled her eyes, something she was doing much more often, and entered the office. Jared shook his head and followed after her.

The doctor's office turned out to be more of a laboratory. A wide bench stretched around the entire back of the room, and it was absolutely packed with equipment and tools. Much of it stuff Jared could not easily identify. And in all this mess, off to one corner sitting on a high stool was a darkly tanned middle-aged man working away on some type of device.

The man glanced up from his work and gave Noah and Tiny Waves a quizzical expression at the two new arrivals.

"Doctor Bob," Noah said with a tired smile, "this is Jared Howe and..." He then empathized Wanda's name, "...Wanderer. As in the one we've all been told about."

The doctor slowly pulled himself off his stool and rubbed his hand over his mouth. "My, my," he said as he stared at both Jared and Wanda in open wonderment. "I must say I am surprised to see you, Wanderer. Melanie feared you had died when Chicago was bombed."

Wanda regarded the Human doctor silently for a few seconds. "We were underground, trying to escape the Seekers when the starship impacted. Its shockwave caused the tunnels to start to collapse. I was lucky to get out. Not all those who were with me did."

Jared saw Noah turned very pale while Wanda told her story of escaping the destruction of Chicago. Healer Tiny Waves noticed as well, in fact, she was quick to go the man and put a reassuring hand on his back. Noah, still distressed, gave his head another hard shake and let out a depressed sigh.

"I-I'm sorry," he said to Wanda and Jared. "I should go." Before anyone could say anything else, Noah turned and practically ran from the room.

Jared was bewildered. There was something very odd about Noah. "What was that all about?"

Leaning back against his messy workbench, Doctor Bob folded his arms. "It's...complicated," he said slowly. "Noah has had some difficulties...Chiefly one of his biggest problems stems from a good deal of guilt."

"What does he feel guilty about?" asked Wanda. She too was just as confused by Noah's behavior and much of what she had seen since leaving the hospital's lobby.

There was reluctance in the doctor's response. He looked pointedly away as he answered. "Noah led the team who captured and reprogramed your ships at LAX. Helped turn them into the weapons that wrecked the cities...and killed so many."

Jared was stunned by the admission. Next to him, Wanda openly flinched. Noah, for all intents and purposes, was a mass murder. Doctor Bob saw their shocked expressions and was quick with an offered defense. "Please," he pleaded, "you must understand that many of us had no idea the scale and scope of the Facility's plans. Noah and the others did not realize the level of destruction their actions would have. We were told we were fighting to free our people. We didn't know..." Shame filled the doctor's eyes, and deep lines cut through his tanned face in a wrinkled sadness. "Maybe...we just didn't want to know."

Wanda did not say anything. She was beginning to stare a hole in the floor, her face a mask. Impossible to read. But Jared mussed softly, "You were part of the original rebellion. Not someone recovered later or an isolated survivor who came to the city after the Free Zone took over."

A little of bit of the sorrow on Bob's face retreated. His lips curled up a tiny amount. "In fact, I was the first to be brought back."

"Who were you before?" asked Wanda. "Who...used you as a host?"

"Healer Many Leaves."

"What did you do with him?" questioned Wanda. For the first time she looked up and held the doctor's gaze. Her faded anger was back.

Jared understood Wanda's worry about the fate of the Souls from the freed Humans in Los Angeles. From what little he had learned from Jodi's disastrous encounter with Jeremy, many of the Humans brought back had destroyed the Souls who once controlled them. Revenge for what the parasitical race had done to humanity. Even if they had not been killed, the Souls would have been put in cryotanks and added to the thousands held hostage downtown.

But Tina, who had remained silent while Bob had talked, now spoke up with an answer surprising both Jared and Wanda. "With our people, of course." Then looking a little puzzled, she added, "What did you think we did with him?"

Wanda's eyebrows knitted together so tightly in addled confusion it looked like there was a straight thin blonde line on her forehead. "Wait...Wait," she said slowly, as tried to make sense of Tina's answer. Looking to Bob, she questioned him with genuine astonishment, "You mean you gave Many Leaves back to us?"

"Yes," replied the doctor with a simple nod of his head. Now he too joined in with the general confusion of everyone in the room and asked, "Did Melanie not explain this to you? What we're doing?"

"We didn't have a lot of time to talk," explained Jared. Deciding to go for broke, he recapped his attempt to break Melanie out of her prison at the Ritz and her refusal to leave.

His story brought a gentle laugh from Bob. "That does sound like Melanie. Stubborn enough to put a mule to shame." The doctor returned to leaning against his messy workbench. "Hmm," he deliberated. "Let me try to fill in some details for you." He paused, seemingly gathering his thoughts and Jared and Wanda waited expectantly.

"Most of us brought back," began Bob, "were furious about what had happened. The years lost. The violation of our bodies. Our loved ones suffering the same fate. All of humanity doomed to be the Souls' puppets. Fear, anger, and desperation make for a dangerous combination. Makes you willing to do things you would normally find unconscionable. And as I said, the Facility and most notably a one Craig Williams exploited that...willingness."

"After the starships fell, Williams told us we would build a new city. Where Humans wouldn't need to fear the Souls. Where we would be in charge. I think many of us were in shock over the destruction...I know I was. We didn't know what else to do. So, we agreed to his plan. As a former Healer I knew where the cryotanks were stored, how they operated, and most importantly how we could use them against you."

There was renewed shame in Bob's voice as he explained how he helped the Free Zone gain power by threatening the Souls. Of dumping out the still frozen silver bodies from cryotanks in front of the frightened aliens to force them to obey. He saw the torment he was causing, and at first tried to ignore it. But as the Humans began to triumph over the Souls and their rule over the alien population in the city grew cruel, his conscience began to weigh heavy on him. "I was a doctor...a man of healing...not a torturer," he whispered.

Bob stopped speaking and blinked back tears. Tina went to the human and drew into a big hug. "It is alright, my friend," she said gently. "You have saved so many more lives than you took."

Offering a weak nod of his head to the Soul, Bob continued. "I wanted...Well, to be honest, I didn't know what I wanted beyond stopping myself from turning into an even greater monster. I saw how others were beginning to enjoy the power they had."

Wanda had carefully followed Bob's story, but Jared noticed her eyes had fixed on a device sitting on the man's workbench. It was rough cylindrical in shape, with an intricate weaving of wiring and tubes all wrapped around a hollow center, roughly twice the size of his fist. Jared was certain the strange contraption looked familiar.

Confirming his suspicions, Wanda abruptly interrupted Bob. "That is Cryotank with its outer shell removed. What are doing to it?"

A small smile returned to the doctor's suntanned face. "A little adjustment to the indicator lights. Makes the cryotank look occupied when it really isn't." He saw the nonstop confusing frowns from both Jared and Wanda and his smile widened. "You see, I'm one of the few who has access to the storage sites where they are keeping all your people, Wanderer. Does the Free Zone no good to lose their hostages. They want those cryotanks in good working order. I'm responsible for their up keep and maintenance. When the opportunity comes, I replace a few cryotanks in storage with my modified ones."

"And Bob then smuggles those out to me," finished Tina with a wide grin of her own. "In turn, I've developed a secret storage site for our rescued brethren. Far away from the Free Zone and any angry Humans."

Wanda's mouth was agape, stunned by the revelation. Jared was working through his own disbelief. "You've made, well, an underground railroad for the cryotanks held hostage."

"An excellent way to put it," replied Tina.

"But what has Melanie..." began Wanda.

"She helped orchestrate the whole thing. Melanie was the one who found me and put me in touch with Tina here," finished Bob as he put his arm around the Healer. "Gave me a purpose beyond being a...monster."

"As I said before," said Tina. "I was terrified of Melanie when I first met her. She and many of the other Free Zone leaders were touring the hospital. They and their guards were threatening any Soul who gave even a hint of defiance. I made the mistake of trying to defend one of my patients who had gotten in the way of one of the security men. I thought he was going to yank me out of my host on the spot." The Healer trembled at the memory. "Then Melanie began yelling at me. Telling me she was going to take care of me personally. I was so frightened. But...she was being deceitful with the other Humans. Making them believe she was on their side. When she got me alone, she began to cry. Saying how sorry she was for the way we were being treated. I didn't believe her at first. Then she started telling me about you, Wanderer. About your time together. It took time, but I slowly began to trust her."

"Everything Melanie is doing with the Free Zone is an act," said Jared with an amazed shake of his head.

"Yes," agreed Bob. "She's playing a dangerous game. In public, Melanie agrees with and supports the Free Zone. But in private, she helps us and our efforts to free the cryotanks and put an end to their tyranny. Very risky, but..." And here his expression turned cheerless as he continued, "this is not a time of safety or security."

Jared went silent, worried about Mel. She was indeed playing a dangerous game. If Craig Williams found out what she was doing...It could be very bad for everyone. He had bent an entire city to his will. The man's rage and resolve made him extremely dangerous.

"How many of you are there?" asked Wanda, breaking Jared out his anxious thoughts about this Human-Soul resistance Melanie had formed.

"Not many," answered Bob. "You've met Noah. A few other Humans are helping us where they can."

"Nor are there many of us," said Tina. "While there would be many who would help, most of us aren't good at lying." Rather self-depreciablely the Soul Healer sighed to herself. "I have learned how. But too many of us would do a poor job of hiding our activities from the Free Zone Humans. Deception for many of us just isn't one of our strengths."

"Not that I've got what it takes to be a spy master," added Bob. "But I do what I can. It's made easier as there are still few Humans in the city. Melanie, of course, helps as much as possible. She supplies me with information about Cryotanks that are available for smuggling." The doctor stopped and tapped his finger against his chin. Giving both Wanda and Jared a thoughtful look, he added, "Did she give you anything? I'd planned on another retrieval."

Reaching into his pocket, Jared pulled out Melanie's note. Now her message made more sense. He had been the carrier for the information Bob needed. "I think this is what you're looking for."

The doctor's eyes lit up when he saw the thin slip of paper. "Yes, this is exactly it. Thank you for bringing it here. We have much work ahead of us to get ready for tonight."

"What's tonight?" asked Jared with a frown.

Bob waved Melanie's note in front of him. "A little bit of a jail break, so to speak."

Jared noted Bob and Tina were positively bouncing with feverish excitement. But it was Wanda's expression which caught his attention. The earlier irritated uncertainty was gone. Now her eyes were shiny, and she had a smile on her face. A real, genuine smile. Something he had not seen in weeks.

"Oh, Jared," she said as she blinked back a tear. "Melanie hasn't abandoned us. She's protecting my people. Even after everything she's been through, she still with us."

"Guess she is," sighed Jared. He could see Wanda's resolve already returning. She was going to stay here. Work to rescue the trapped Souls. Just like Melanie. Too damn stubborn. And Jared would as well. As much as he wanted to leave this nightmare of a city as fast as he could, he knew deep down there was no way he was going until Melanie was with him.

"I suppose you could use a hand?" he questioned Bob.

"Oh, yes," smiled the doctor. "The more, the merrier."

####

'You see I knew Dell before you Souls showed up. Him and me had crossed paths when we both went after this choice Corvette. Such a nice set of wheels' explained Marc. In his memories, he reminisced about the flashy expensive sports car. 'He had his crew with him. He had experience. The vet was good as his.' Wry amusement rose in Marc, 'And I was the punk white boy who stole it right from under his nose.'

Pausing in his story, Marc waited for a reaction from Bright Moon. He did not get one. Bright Moon's mind was partially occupied with navigating through the woodland forest. The four Seekers were moving in a loose box formation slowly through the thick undergrowth. Seeker Justin and Sky Roost took the lead, while Second Sunrise and Bright Moon bringing up the rear.

Traveling through the brush and leafy vegetation was not a difficult task, it was something the Souls had done a good deal of in the last few weeks. Bright Moon's earlier joy at finding Marc had given way to an unhappy funk. Going through all the dark times since the bunker had left the Soul feeling depressed. Marc had taken it upon himself to cheer up Bright Moon with tales of his greatest heists. So far it had not gone well.

'Guess you already know this one,' said Marc after the silence went on for too long. 'I get the impression you've shifted through all my memories when you went looking for me.'

'Oh, yes,' came Bright Moon's morose reply. 'I've seen all the times you've stolen things. Stuff you didn't even need. You just wanted to prove you could take it, like the Corvette. And the times when you got into fights with anyone who crossed you. All the violence of your youth.' A little shudder went through the Soul.

'Yeah, I know I did a lot bad stuff,' admitted Marc. 'I was a stupid teenager with a big chip on my shoulder. I'm not trying to defend it. That just was the reality of my life growing up.'

'But you wear these memories like a badge of honor. It's strange,' pondered Bright Moon, 'you are sorry you did it, yet proud of your accomplishments.'

'Eh...it's a guy thing. You wouldn't understand.'

An ever so small sliver of humor made its way into Bright Moon's mood. 'Well, I am now.'

'What?'

'Male,' replied Bright Moon to Marc's puzzled inquiry. A little bit more humor grew in the Soul's mind. 'I'm in your body, after all. I take on the physical characteristics of my host. So now I am a guy.' There was a pause. 'However, I still don't get why you're pleased with having a successful criminal career.'

'You should always take pride in your abilities, even if they're illegal,' argued Marc. Then he drifted off, and the Soul could sense a growing confusion in Marc's mind.

'What is it?' asked Bright Moon.

Marc's reply was slow in coming. 'If you're male because you're in my body, then why do you...well...sound feminine to me?'

The question so surprised the Soul Bright Moon blurted out loud, "I do?" This garnered concerned looks from Seekers Justine and Second Sunrise.

"You do what?" asked Second Sunrise as the four Seekers slowed to start climbing up a hill.

"Umm...nothing," stammered Bright Moon as the Soul tried to cover up the verbal outburst. Internally, Bright Moon was still stunned by Marc's comment.

'See it's weird when you speak out loud. I hear my voice. But when it's just the two of us talking, you sound different,' offered Marc in way of explanation. Another pause went by and Marc brought up another question. 'I know it's kind of a private thing with Souls, so I didn't want to bring it up before. But are you a Soul female? Capable of motherhood? Is that why I hear you as a woman?'

'No,' said Bright Moon after a moment. 'I'm not a mother. That's not my privilege. But even if I were, it wouldn't make a difference in my host body. I'm male if I'm in a man's body. Female if I'm a woman's. That is the way it is for all Souls, regardless if they are capable of motherhood. I know some of us prefer one gender over another. But it's usually a personal choice.'

'What did you choose?' asked Marc.

'As a Bear I was twice female and once male. I didn't specify when I came to Earth. The difference never seemed that important to me. Putting me in Julia was mostly random chance.' Thinking on the subject, Bright Moon questioned Marc. 'Would have you felt the same for me if I had a body of a different woman? Or had come as a man?'

Marc felt more than a little stupid for not even considering the possibility. He knew better than many about the Souls' ability to move from body to body. 'I don't know,' he finally admitted. 'I guess it's not easy for me to think in that way. Can't see you as another woman.' Then with an equivalent of a mental laugh, he added, 'You as a man? Unfortunately, I don't swing that way.'

'So, your attraction to me was purely physical?'

'No...At least I don't think so. When Sage of Tides took over your host body, everything he did just seemed off...Wrong in the body. I knew almost immediately it wasn't you. You are you. I don't quite know how else to articulate it. Part of me sees you as a woman. No matter what body you're in.' Marc pondered further. 'I suppose that's sort of sexist...or even racist. But I don't know how else to make sense of it. Maybe that's just a limitation of being Human. Only able to think in terms of male or female.'

Bright Moon pushed a little on Marc's thoughts. Wanting to see deeper into his mental state and how he saw the Soul. At first, Marc resisted, not liking the intrusion. But he acquiesced upon feeling Bright Moon's desire to understand. The Soul shifted through his mind like a gentle hand moving across a still pond of water. Feeling the texture of his thoughts. Improbably, both found the experience oddly intimate.

'You don't want to think of me as an It. As a thing that is genderless,' said Bright Moon. 'You see it as derogatory. Even if the term is accurate in my case. Strange. Body and Soul. These are two separate concepts to us. And yet...You mesh them together as one for me. You see me as a...person.'

Bright Moon found Marc's notion rather touching. The Soul reflected upon itself. Himself. Herself. Identity for a Soul could be rather fluid and flexible. But not so much for a Human. Marc was only making sense of their strange situation as best he could.

'I guess it is a bit of a limitation,' judged Bright Moon. 'But then again, humanity's concepts of masculinity and femininity aren't purely driven by biology. I suppose I don't mind you thinking of me as a female.'

'Really?' asked a surprised Marc.

Bright Moon's mood, which had been dejected and unhappy began to improve 'In your crazy mind,' replied the Soul, 'I'll take what I can get.'

'Good thing you're not a Dolphin,' added Bright Moon, thinking about the alien species on that faraway planet. 'They have three district genders. It would be even more confusing.'

'It takes three to tango for the Dolphins? Crazy.'

'It's a strange universe, Marc. Sometimes you've just go to roll with it.'

'That sounds like something I would say,' laughed Marc.

'As I said, I take on some of the traits of my host. Which is you. I've gotten to know you very well, Mister Walters.'

Marc could hear the smile in Bright Moon's words. He replied with some sardonic humor of his own. 'Did you now? What do you think of being me?'

Bright Moon considered for a long time and answered with a sobering reply. 'I guess I find it very different and difficult. But I'm not sure your body is the best example of being a male human.'

'Hey!'

'Oh...that didn't come out right. I mean I'm in you, Marc. And I've found that very...disturbing. Still do. Changing bodies can be jarring for us. And I think your little insertions was likely one of the most traumatizing events of all of my lives.'

'I'm sorry,' whispered Marc tenderly. 'But I just couldn't let you die. Not when there was something I could do.'

A warmth spread through Bright Moon. 'I am grateful. You love me. The little silver worm you held in your hand. It's beautiful...'

Marc and Bright Moon then drifted together and the pull of happier times drew them away from their unpleasant surroundings. Memories of Marc and Bright Moon sharing their first kiss on the roof of the Hotel Rose entered their shared mind. It was more than just the touch of their lips together. The smell of Bright Moon's hair. The sounds of Marc's soft sigh as they pulled together. The feel of his hands on her body.

Their thoughts blurred together, and their memories became twisted. He/She ran a hand through her/his hair. Their kiss deepened and his/her mouth opened with a soft moan...Abruptly Bright Moon broke away from Marc. The Soul stopped walking and shifted uncomfortably as cheeks reddened in embarrassment.

'I...uhhh...this is so...umm,' spluttered Bright Moon.

Similarly affected, Marc retreated in their shared mind. 'Okay...Yeah...Let's not do that again. It got weird fast...'

Upon seeing Bright Moon coming to an abrupt halt, Seeker Justin stopped as well and asked, "Is there a problem?"

"I...err...well...," stuttered Bright Moon as the Soul's emotions spilled over into outright mortification. In an almost unfocused daze, Bright Moon spun around and took in the surroundings. The dark green canopy of the forest partially obscured the noon day sun. Not the busy city of Chicago with the ever-present rumble of traffic. Instead, bird song and the rustle of leaves in the wind.

Bright Moon's reaction only severed to increase the others concern. "Seeker Bright Moon, you have been very distracted today," observed Sky Roost. The ruddy faced Seeker scrutinized Bright Moon "I know you have not slept well in many days. You continue to have problems with your host. Usually, I would ask you to see a Comforter. But our situation is hardly normal. We cannot afford to be distracted. The Humans hunting us are determined and resourceful."

Sky Roost's admonishment caused Bright Moon further embarrassment. Head hanging low in shame, Bright Moon muttered. "I apologize. I am sorry I've been so distracted."

"Are these distractions coming from your search for Marc Walter?" asked Second Sunrise. "I know you continue to look. But can you really afford to do so?"

'You might as well just tell them,' said Marc. 'Whether the other Seekers like me or not, we're pretty much attached at the hip. They can't get rid of me without getting rid of you.'

Indecision weighted on Bright Moon. 'I don't know. What if they consider you a threat? Worry that you will try to betray us?'

'I'm in this mess just as much as the rest of you. Hell, maybe I can help. You guys could use a Human on your side. Not that I can do much.'

"Bright Moon!" snapped Sky Roost, yanking the Soul's attention away from Marc and their internal conversation. "What is wrong with you?"

Sighing, Bright Moon answered Second Sunrise's questions. "It is about Marc. And, no I won't need to look for him anymore."

"You have given up on this endeavor?" queried Seeker Justin. "It seemed a rather pointless task."

With a small grin Marc would have given himself if he could, Bright Moon replied to the soon to be stunned Seekers. "I don't need to look for him anymore because I already found him."

Next chapter- While Bright Moon and Marc try to out maneuver the Facility's forces, Jared and Wanda go on a mission to rescue some of the captured cryotanks and learn something surprising about Noah.