Corben beamed brightly and a flash of light captured the moment. He smirked a little and the boyish glee faded from his face. It was so routine now this birthday thing…and he was only just thirteen. Taking a deep breath, he leaned forward and blew out the candles placed there – all thirteen of them. His parents and friends alike cheered and clapped their hands.
His father slapped him on the back, "What? No girlfriends for you this year?" His friends laughed.
Corben shrugged and grinned in good nature, "Heck, I've got them all lined up." Nodding his head towards the cake, he added, "That tells me nothing – I'd rather pave my own road than leave it to fate."
An approving look from his father and Corben glowed.
Michelle swooped in and kissed her son on the cheek, "So, what did the birthday boy get?"
Corben shifted uneasily in his seat and self-consciously wiped the kiss from his face. He could never trust his mother after what she had done and it showed in his every action. "I don't know mom."
She looked pained when he wiped is sleeve across his cheek, but she said nothing and put on an extra bright smile, "Well, I'm sure you're just dying to find out now aren't you?"
"Sure mom."
"Ok boys, let's go into the other room and open presents!"
Corben's friends fled for the other room, eager to have their present opened first and to see who had given their friend the best gift. Everyone, including Carl with his video camera.
"Corben?"
"What is it mom?" He slowly turned to face his mom.
"What is wrong?"
"You already know the answer to that." He didn't need to elaborate. His answer was always the same.
Tears pooled in her eyes, "If only you could understand…"
Temper flaring, Corben shouted, "Understand what? You gave him away! And now he's dead!" Corben could feel his own tears welling up and he angrily swallowed the lump in his throat. He had seen and heard everything, but not even his father believed him. His own mother had let someone take his little brother.
Carl poked his head in, he'd heard what Corben had said, and his eyes were now cold, "Not now you two."
Corben glared angrily at his mother before he stepped into the adjoining room. His friends looked at him with their mouths open. Mind racing, Corben forced a sad look upon his face and shook his head, "Mom gave my gerbil away to some neighbour and their cat got it."
His friends laughed and those of who knew him better as for not having a pet gerbil laughed as well, but their eyes were full of confusion.
-
Sergeant Steven Gray knocked on the white door and peered nervously around him before facing the door again. It was dangerous being here, his life was on the line and he knew it. But Carl was a friend, one who'd saved him many years ago – he owed him this.
Michelle opened the door. "Steve! It's been years since I've seen you!"
"Hello Michelle. Is there any chance that Carl's here?" He cocked his head to the side and listened, "Sounds like you got a party going on."
Michelle smiled and nodded, "Yes, Corben is thirteen today."
"Thirteen! Jesus time flies."
Her eyes took on a calculating gleam, "On IF business or are you on break?"
"A little of both. Mostly, I'm just returning a favour."
"Ah, yes. Carl has had so many favours returned." She didn't explain her words, despite Steven's curious look. Shouting over her shoulder, Michelle called out, "Carl, Steven's here to see you!"
Carl dashed out into the foyer, his shirt covered in colourful bits of ribbon and bows. "Steven, great to see you!"
Michelle kissed her husband on the cheek and smiled sweetly. "I've got a phone call to make." She added playfully, "You two go out back and have a drink. I'll bring some cake out once I've made my call."
"Sounds good." Turning back to Steven, Carl grinned widely. "Wow it's been an age since I've seen you last! Come on in, we'll go out back to get away from these kids."
Stepping inside, Steven followed Carl through the immense house to the back garden terrace. Carl went to the patio fridge and pulled out a beer then passed another to Steven. Then seating themselves at the glass topped table, they together sighed and toasted to the other's health.
"Where to start? It's been years since I've seen you last." Carl laughed and shook his head, "Too long, my old friend."
"Yes. And it's because of our friendship that I'm here now." Carl raised a brow curiously and Steven couldn't help but notice how his friend had aged. Lines crinkled at the corners of his eyes and there was a touch of grey at his temples. He'd age a lot more by the time this thing was through. "There's trouble at the IBS. Plots are running and plans are afoot. The government's involved now."
Carl shrugged, "The government was always involved. They supported that stupid thing from the beginning. Kids are not the answer to creating a super army. Lives will still be lost. We have the technology to send droids that can be manned by men with virtually no drag time. So why send human flesh to war?"
"It's more than that. I think that there is something so huge involved that the IBS is just a cover." Steven looked down at his hands, the look in Carl's gaze was too unsettling.
"Get it out Steven."
"Your son. Hunter -"
Carl cut him off, "He's dead."
"Yes, well. That's beside the point. He was genetically enhanced…how?"
Carl stood and began to pace, speechless for the moment, but it was clear as glass that he was angry. "How did you find out about that? Those were supposed to be restricted files. So how the hell did you get a hold of them?"
"I have connections." He set aside his bottle and stood as well, "The truth is Carl…there's no easy way to say this…the truth is, is that your son isn't dead." He paused to make sure that it had sunk in. It had, Carl stumbled to a stop and collapsed in his seat. "I know this is a shock to you Carl, but I need to know what they did to Hunter, because I think the IBS is a ruse to get him to train there so that they can find his strength's and weaknesses. Because if they've done what I think they've done to Hunter, than he isn't just human, he's a weapon that can save humanity, or destroy it depending on whose side he's on."
Carl suddenly lunged at Steven and grabbed him by the neck, "Why wasn't I told this sooner? Why was this kept from me? He's my own son!"
-
Corben heard the shattering glass bottle outside and pulled back the curtain a little to peek out. His father had some man by the throat. Glancing over his shoulder, he decided his friends wouldn't miss him for the time being as they were caught up playing with the new toys he'd received. Sneaking out of the room and tip toeing down the hall he cracked the sliding door open partially.
-
Steven gasped, unable to breathe or speak, he kneed Carl in the groin then pushed him away. "Jesus Carl!" he choked out, "Let me finish!" He coughed once then pushed himself up and went over to where Carl was rolling and groaning on the ground. Reaching down he pulled Carl into a sitting position.
"Marcus Render is in charge of the project. As it is, I'm not supposed to be here. I'm technically still aboard the IBS. But we being long time acquaintances, I thought I owed you this."
Carl lowered himself back to the ground and groaned. "Where is he then?"
"Hunter? He's on the IBS." Steven stopped, he didn't know what he could say, as it was, his thoughts were all speculation. He had no proof, every turn of event could have been the way life turned, but it could have all been a set up too. "He's been under close observation. Everyone has noted him or now has been notified to keep an eye on him."
"Isn't he too old for the IBS?"
"Howard signed him up…well, forced him to be entered. He would have been refused, but he had a blood sample from Hunter. It's not the same DNA encodement that was originally on file, but it was close to who Marcus thought it was so he accepted him. If it hadn't been the person he'd thought it was, he would have just sent Hunter back to earthside." He looked Carl in the eye and added, "Understandably, I was sceptical that it was Hunter as I was by your side when we recovered what we thought was Hunter's body eight years ago."
Carl reached out for his beer bottle but came up short, Steven got up and fetched it for him. "This is a lot to take in, I know, and I apologize now because it is partially my fault that Hunter was discovered. Hunter fit in perfectly. He was bright, but he wasn't the best. Or at least he made himself look that way. He did get in a fight at the beginning." Steven frowned but continued, "Said some odd things too, come to think of it. But other than that he was as average as they got; good enough to stay and not be sent back to earth. That is, until I mentioned this to Marcus, after that he began rigging the tests. Then we saw that he was far above average. He was brilliant. I'm sure he could have aced those tests, but he always got an average score to those of the rest of the class. He knew stuff that had never been taught. He was doing final year tests that very few seniors would be able to do. Hell, I couldn't even done as well on some of things as he did."
Carl nodded, seeming to understand perfectly.
"So I did some digging to see if I could find out who his real parents were. I didn't expect to find what I did – blew me right out of the water. Hunter Correlli was none other than your son, a son who was supposed to be dead. I went to Marcus with this and he immediately got me to link up with Commander Carter. He knew it all along, why else would he take a kid who was roughly three years older than the average? He acted surprised enough though, just a ruse for my benefit I'm sure."
"Where's Howard now?"
"Mr. Correlli is dead. Shot in the head – they say suicide, but it's an IF type of gun that bullet came from. Had it checked out personally."
"So they're trying to keep this under."
"Yes."
"You'll be next."
"I know."
For the first time, Carl studied Steven's face. What he saw there was fear. A fear so deep that it chilled Carl's bones. "All I can tell you about Hunter is that he is genetically enhanced. He's almost a machine, he's so perfect."
Steve turned that thought over in his head, "He's got alien DNA doesn't he?"
Carl nodded.
"Corvedic DNA."
Again Carl nodded. "We found a Corvedic probe ship hiding in the shadow of Saturn, we chased it down and captured the being aboard. We studied it. It's got incredible capabilities. Abilities that even I cannot explain, explanations that will never be found…the project was soon turfed."
"Before or after Hunter's own DNA was combined with the Corv's?"
"After."
"So the government knows then."
"They were backing the project, Michelle was the one who brought it up actually. Strange since there are so many other children out there that we could have used. Why my own son?"
There was a lengthy pause in the conversation while each let the information settle into their minds. Steven got up and fetched another beer to replace the one that had been knocked over. Popping the top he took a deep swig. He was about to take another before he stopped and lowered the bottle once more. "Something's just occurred to me. You'd have thought Michelle would have brought out that cake by now."
"You would think." Carl agreed slowly.
-
"Marcus Render."
"'One moment please.'"
"Hello, this is Marcus Render."
"Carl Bracken knows."
"It was Gray, wasn't it? Shit. I should have dealt with him sooner."
"He's here now. You can still deal with him here…now."
"What about you? Does either of them know your connection?"
"No. My cover is safe, but I'll not have my son hurt-"
"One already is."
"-nor my husband."
"That'll be a little harder to promise."
-
"Shit. Carl, I don't even know what to do. I'm sorry, I'm suspicious of everything and everyone. Hunter will be the focus of the government's plans now with the Corv's. The staff at the IBS have all seen the footage of him in the Battle Net. His Scape fighting is incredible. He doesn't even need to see them to shoot them. I just don't understand how the government or the IF think that Hunter can save humanity. He's just one kid."
"He's my son."
"He's your son and the son of a race that is bearing down on the Human Empire. He's – " Steven felt the shot even before he heard the gun fire. Blood frothed to his lips even as he breathed: a punctured lung. "Carl…run!" Carl looked up in surprise.
Another shot rang out, this one silenced. There was more than one person here. The spot on the front of Steven's shirt was joined by another and they blossomed at an unnatural speed. They'd bleed him to death if they couldn't make the final shot count. Obviously they were firing from some distance. "Carl! Damn it, run!"
Jumping to his feet, Carl dove for Steven as another shot rang out. They tumbled to the ground - the shot had just grazed Steven's temple. "Carl, get the hell out of here." But instinct had taken over Carl and his steely gaze searched the surrounding houses for open windows. Hooking his arms under Steven's armpits, he dragged his friend towards the back door.
-
Corben shook himself out of the shock that had settled in. The first shot that had been fired he heard loud and clear, it was a wonder that everyone wasn't rushing to the window now. But the second, he hadn't heard that one, only seen the evidence of it take a chunk of brick out of the barbecue.
He needed to get his friends out before they were possibly hurt. Obviously these people shooting at Steve didn't care whether they hit the large propane tank. But he couldn't claim that he'd heard gun fire, that would only make them panic. If he was sick though…
Corben ran back through the house to the large family room where the others were half concerned with his whereabouts and the games at hand. Slowing his pace to a walk, he staggered in and held his stomach…he did his best to look ill. "Hey guys…I don't feel too good. I feel like puking my guts out, I think I've got food poisoning…if you don't want to get it, you should go home."
The others looked at him in surprise.
"Yeah, you don't look too good man."
Michelle, well aware of the happenings occurring outside, argued back, "Oh nonsense. You've just had too much cake. Just sit down and play with your friends and let yourself digest." Her eyes were unreadable, but her body was tense.
The boys looked uncertain and to support his words Corben gagged and made retching sounds. He had to suppress his laughter as his friends took a step back.
"Yeah…ok." They looked at him suspiciously, but didn't argue, "See ya later Corben. At school man."
A quick glance to his mother and he could feel the resentment rolling off of her. Undoubtedly his friends left due partly to the animosity between him and his mother, it would be hard to ignore. Once the last person had closed the door behind him, Corben made for the back, only to be roughly grabbed by the arm.
"What do you think you're doing, you little brat? I've been planning this party for you for weeks! What have you got to say for yourself young man?" Her grip was tightening; she was obviously trying to scare an answer out of him. But she had missed the part where he didn't care.
Whispering fiercely, Corben replied, "Go to hell. Hunter isn't dead." He watched her eyes take a new glint to them, a slow sinister smile spread across her perfect features. She said nothing, however, and Corben tugged his arm free and ran for the back yard.
"Dad!" His father and the other man were huddled behind the brick barbecue. Chips were missing from where shots had been made.
"Corben, get back into the house and into the basement!"
Corben opened his mouth to say something, but his father cut him off, "Don't argue with me, Corben. Just do as I say."
More shots rained down on where Carl was crouching and he cursed loudly when one grazed his shoulder. They were coming in closer. There was less time between the shot and the hit. No new phase guns for these gentlemen. They were going to get the job done the nitty gritty way, by using old-fashioned bullets. Ones that tore your flesh apart as they entered and left the body.
"Corben. You didn't listen to me!"
"Dad, come on!" Reaching imploringly from the safety of the door, Corben waved his father to run inside.
"I can't…I can't leave Steven, Corben." Carl looked apologetically towards what he had thought his only son. That moment was burned in his memory forever – everything seemed to slow down, the boom of the sniper rifles and the look of terror upon his son's face. Then another face appearing from behind. "Michelle! Get Corben out of here!"
A flash of light reflected off a deadly thin blade and before Carl could react, it was pressed to his son's throat. Almost sweetly, she ran her hand along Corben's cheek to let it eventually rest on his shoulder. "Step out into the open, Carl, and your son will live." Blonde hair fell over her shoulder and obstructed Carl's view of his son's eyes.
"Michelle?"
"They won't shoot you. They're after Sergeant Gray. Come out and your son will be spared." The tip of her blade bit into Corben's neck until a bead of blood was produced. She hated the feeling of Corben wincing under the pressure of her knife. But to save her family, this was the only way – Marcus would plough through her husband if Carl didn't leave the shelter of the barbeque soon. "Of course, we'll have to detain you to find out what Steven told you."
"I don't understand," Carl understood perfectly well. Steven's little remark about her earlier had him suspecting that her work for the government was more than just chasing down people who didn't pay their taxes. Which meant that everything he'd known was likely all just part of a bigger plan… one that involved his son. "Let Corben go. He's not part of this."
"Quite the contrary…he knows his brother lives."
"What has that got to do with anything?"
"He knows how Hunter disappeared, if he talks, then everything is forfeit. Just like how your life is." Michelle nodded towards Steven, "Look at how those who know things that they shouldn't are dealt with."
Carl glanced to his friend's prone body – only the faint gurgle was any proof that he was alive. "Hunter?"
"He's the key, Carl. He's always been the key. Just as we knew from the time we conceived him."
"We…" Carl echoed quietly. Yes, he'd known. At the time it'd seemed like the obvious thing to do. The project had been researched thoroughly for ten years – and arrogant as the group of them were, they figured that they knew everything. How wrong they'd been, Hunter was nothing that they expected.
Steven grabbed Carl by the arm to get his attention, "There is no choice in this, Carl. Go. Save your sons."
Then closing his eyes, Carl raised his hands and slowly rose to his feet. Everything slowed to half time; he stepped out into the open and his deliberate steps matched the measured pace of his heart. Three sets of eyes were on him and he felt the effect of all three tear at his soul. Steven looked on with relief, Corben with a fear no child should behold and Michelle. He'd never for all his years forget the hard diamond look in her face overlaid with a pain so immense he felt it lance through his own heart. He knew, and understood – she'd protect their son.
Something flashed in the light. It was so minute that under normal circumstances he wouldn't have noticed…but these weren't normal circumstances. He blinked and time resumed its natural speed, bullet included.