Adaptive Consequences by Lucy L Austin

Author:Lucy L Austin [Austin, Lucy L]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction
Published: 2020-05-14T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 20

7th May 2062

As excitable as flies around something sticky and putrid, Markov and Wei hovered around Anton, drunk with anticipation for what he was about to say or do, but he only smiled. It was the kind of smile from a man who’s used to everyone waiting for him. He put his hand on Kau’s shoulder and held it there as Fan often did. There was something in the way in which he did it, that made Jun want to tear his hand off.

Kau shifted uncomfortably beside Anton. He wouldn’t look at Jun. Instead, his eyes were glued to the floor, like he used to do as a child when he had done something wrong. But never, ever, anything like this.

‘I have to say we couldn’t have done it without you and your son,’ Anton finally said. ‘A combined effort from your family made this so much easier for us.’

Wei panted in delight, his wretched lungs clawed for air; he was as gnarled and twisted as the liquorice roots that he chewed.

Kau rushed to Jun’s side, but it was her turn to look away from him. What had he done, and why was he with Anton? The realisation slowly filtered through her head – he’d been the enemy all along.

‘You never did tell me what work you were doing…’ Jun said. ‘Now I know why.’ She pulled Kodi closer to her and turned her back to him. She could still see Wei, Anton, and Markov in her periphery.

Kodi had stopped shaking and she moved closer to Kau, so they were almost toe-to-toe. Her eyes mauled at him, full of hate. ‘My family trusted you. I trusted you.’ She threw her hands on his chest so hard it made a hollow thud, and she pushed him with all her might.

Kau stumbled back into Anton.

‘Thanks to you both,’ Anton said with a smile that ballooned his face. ‘Kau, for helping us gain the trust of Kodi and her family, and to you, Jun, for leading us to her.’

Jun shook her head; who was this person standing in front of her?

‘I didn’t know their intentions to begin with, I swear,’ Kau said, imploring at Jun ‘Seeing the news reports about what happened, I was suspicious. But I didn’t know till you told me. You have to believe me!’

‘I knew the Chirchirs from the migration relocation. I knew them, you,’ Kau gestured to Kodi, ‘pretty well. I didn’t know it was going to end up like this-’

Anton stepped forward and clasped Kau’s shoulders, pulling him back. ‘Now, now, Kau. I know you’re upset, but there’s no need to play all our hands. Your mother here wants to take our evolutionary prize away with her.’

Jun’s hand dropped into her pocket, and she thumbed her phone. One push would signal Lucas, Batz, and the Ghettoites to break in through the passageway, escalating a battle of Voltarms, Immobilisers, pain and terror. ‘You’ve barely evolved yourselves. Externally you give the illusion you have, but you’re worse than animals.

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